The Six Characteristics of Our Safest Schools

The mission of the ESD113 Workers’ Compensation Trust is to:  Assist member districts in keeping their cost of Workers’ Compensation insurance coverage both affordable and predictable Provide quality claims and loss control services to help prevent injuries and successfully resolve claims Help member district’s comply with state regulations regarding employee accident prevention Cross Reference: Board Policy ???? Safety Legal References: WAC re: Management’s responsibility and WAC re: Accident prevention program

EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER WASHINGTON LAW WAC Accident prevention program. Your responsibility: To establish, supervise and enforce an accident prevention program (APP) that is effective in practice. (You may call this your total safety and health plan.)

ADDITIONAL LEGAL REQUIREMENTS UNDER WASHINGTON LAW WAC Develop, supervise, implement, and enforce safety and health training programs that are effective in practice. WAC Make sure your Accident Prevention Program (APP) is effective in practice. WAC

Benchmark: Severity In terms of ranking (1 best/8 worst)

Benchmark: Claim Frequency In terms of ranking (1 best/8 worst)

ESD113 Workers’ Compensation Cost Drivers Target (20% Better Than Benchmark ) ESD 113 Workers Compensation Trust Total Direct losses are a product of the number of injuries incurred and the average cost per claim incurred. This matrix shows ESD 113 Workers Compensation Trust’s performance for the historical period 09/01/01-08/31/06 Low cost per claim, but too many accidents

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Comparing ESD113 Ultimate Losses :: ESD 113 Workers Compensation Trust performed at a level 4% lower than Benchmark over the entire historical period. Specifically, ESD 113 Workers Compensation Trust is expected to ultimately incur $533,398 less total direct losses than their composite benchmark for the historical period evaluated. By performing at a target level, ESD 113 Workers Compensation Trust could have saved an additional $5,548,000 in direct losses over the same period.

Characteristic #1  Policy: District priority for safety is evidenced by each school integrating an “Accident Prevention Best Practices Model” into their school improvement planning process. Principals communicate with all staff; by setting a high standard themselves that safety takes high priority and will be part of their school culture. With each supervisor understanding their responsibility for employee safety.

Characteristic #2  Accountability: Supervisors communicate with staff that safe working practices are expectations and not options. With each supervisor understanding their own responsibility for employee safety.

Characteristic #3  Trust: Employees are comfortable raising questions or concerns about employee safety & health. Employees feel empowered either directly or through their safety committee to affect the safety climate in their schools in a positive way. The role and importance of the safety committee is mutually understood at all levels of the organization.

Characteristic #4  Communication: A system for reporting potentially unsafe conditions or hazards is in place with a priority set on work orders addressing safety concerns.

Characteristic #5  Leadership: Supervisors take the lead in investigating all workplace accidents, communicating results with staff and in a collaborative effort identify and implement solutions that will prevent workplace injuries. Continual follow up is essential to determine the effectiveness in preventing accidents.

Characteristic #6  Assessment: Principals have established in-house monthly safety committee meetings; safety committees are visibly and actively supported by Management. Safety committees determine staff training needs and safety training will target hazards associated with specific jobs. Supervisors make it clear to any behavioral expectations presented in the training sessions.

Thank you for Listening  Any Questions?