Seattle Public Schools | Risk Management

Risk Management

The Risk Management Department develops and maintains programs for the effective protection of District resources, assets, students and employees. Risk Management also manages the District's various self-insurance and insurance programs.

Employee Safety / Workers' Compensation - Risk Management works with schools to help keep employees safe from accidental injuries. Report employee accidents to Risk Management as soon as feasible by completing an Incident/Injury or Occupational Illness Report. In case of serious injury or death, notify Risk Management immediately. Berkley Administrators handles District Employee workers' compensation claims. Direct questions regarding current or prior workers' compensation claims to Berkley Administrators at (206)575-2303.

Student Safety - Risk Management works with schools to help keep students safe from accidental injuries. Report all accidents to Risk Management within 24 hours of the occurrence. In case of serious injury or death, notify Risk Management immediately.

Safety Committees - The Department of Labor and Industries requires that each site hold monthly safety committee meetings. Copies of the minutes should be sent to the Risk Management Office for collection and review.

Walk Maps - Walk maps for each elementary school are developed and produced annually by the City of Seattle Traffic Safety Committee. These maps show recommended routes for students to use. Risk Management provides copies prior to the start of each school year. Additional copies are available in the Risk Management Department.

Seattle Traffic Safety Advisory Committee - This committee, comprised of representatives from Risk Management, Seattle Public Schools Transportation Department, City of Seattle Engineering Department, Seattle Police Department (Traffic Enforcement; Adult crossing Guard Program), private schools, and community at large, meets monthly during the school year to seek solutions to traffic concerns at schools. Such concerns include recommending walk routes, adult crossing guards, crosswalks, signage, student loading and unloading and other traffic-related issues. Contact Risk Management to bring matters to the attention of this committee.

Student Accident Insurance - ExceclServ provides student accident enrollment kits for each school at the beginning of the school year. The student accident insurance program enables parents to purchase insurance that provides medical coverage (in excess of other insured) for accidents related to school activities. If feasible, schools should keep a list of students who are covered. When a covered student is injured, the school should provide the parent with a copy of the claim forms from the packet.

Field Trip Accident Insurance Risk Management purchases an insurance policy which provides coverage for student injuries sustained on authorized school-sponsored field trips Call Risk Management to report accidents which may be eligible for coverage.

Playgrounds - Play is an important part of a child's development. Most elementary schools have playgrounds and play equipment for their students to use during recess and before and after school. The playgrounds are also open to the public. Risk Management works with the Maintenance Department to help keep the playgrounds and equipment safe for all who use them. The District relies on documents developed and produced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM), and the Americans with Disibilities Act Accessibility Guidlines.

Adding a Play Structure - Most older play equipment has been removed from schools due to safety concerns. Unfortunately, the District lacks funds to replace this equipment with newer, safer equipment. Community groups such as PTAs have been instrumental in providing new play equipment for many of the District's schools. A community group that wants to place new or additional equipment at a school must use the Self Help approval process. Equipment and placement must be in compliance with the District's Playground Design and installation Standards and are subject to approval by Risk Management.

Vehicle Accidents - Accidents involving District vehicle accidents should be reported immediately to the Risk Management Department. District vehicle accident report packets should be kept in the glove box of each District vehicle.