Pranaya Sharma, CSP®, ASP®’s Post

As the new academic year approaches, schools across the country are bustling with preparations. At the Independent Schools Compensation Corporation (ISCC), we understand that safety and loss control are paramount concerns for our member institutions. Let’s explore some key areas of focus and recent trends that self-insured workers’ compensation groups should keep in mind as we gear up for the back-to-school season. https://lnkd.in/e2QunjvE #ISCC #FutureComp #independentschools #schools #backtoschool #education #safety #losscontrol #workerscomp #workerscompensation #security #selfinsured #insurance #claims #claimsmanagement #team #service #privateschools #communication

The right to safety is actually a privilege. When the powerful take advantage of their status to exploit resources, evade laws, & avoid responsibility, they make the world an unsafe and toxic place…. Historically, concentrations of wealth & power managed without accountability to the needs of the many led to public unrest, revolt, & direct TARGETING of those seen as perpetrators of injustice. When the wealthy remove themselves from the consequences of collective crises, many of which were created by the technological tools that they have gotten rich off of, they create resentment & a sense of betrayal. They stand in a position of being unreasonably insulated when the rest of us are unjustifiably vulnerable… There has been recklessness at play… The risk is being eaten by the populace & especially its children who are processed like ground meat through the public school systems The rewards have been being lapped up by Family Offices & other private wealth-hoarding institutions. As the divide grows, the public’s willingness to extend the protections of civility & safety to the wealthy may diminish, not out of malice, but out of sense of profound injustice & the NEED to do something about it. If the wealthy continue to utilize private mobility, vast legal teams, & insulated environments to remain untouchable from the very crises they contribute to creating… they should expect the schools where their children go to be the object of shootings… they should expect the cars that they drive to be the object of bombings… They should expect for me to fucking scream in their face. Public safety, in itself, is rooted in a sense of SAFETY. When wealth isolates, exploits, & avoids the social order, it becomes harder to argue that those hiding behind their privilege deserve the protection of the law.

I repeat: Shootings are an HR issue. Imagine being in an HR/People role for the Barrow County Schools (home of Apalachee High School). While no one should have to imagine this, it has become too much of a reality as the US has had over 385 mass shootings this year already. (Statistic from the Gun Violence Archive.) Today, this is your likely checklist: * Contact OSHA to report two employee deaths and multiple injuries * Develop a plan to obtain the employees' personal items from their classrooms and locker room (after the Georgia Bureau of Investigations is done with school as a crime scene) * Cancel employee benefits for both employees and shore up benefits for those employees injured * Determine final pay issues, including amounts, where to deposit, beneficiaries, etc. * Determine pay issues for staff who will not be working until classes restart * Determine how to inform any state pension programs of death for both employees * After officials determine where and when classes will restart, determine who will cover their classes and other duties * Gather and send out resources for surviving staff on grieving through trauma All of this while going through the trauma and grief yourself. These feelings can be paralyzing and debilitating all on their own, but you've got work to do. Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimie did not deserve to die at work. And, Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo did not deserve to die at school. There are so many things we can do to stop this. All of us getting involved in policy making so we don't have to complete the above checklist is a start. Let me know if you want resources near you to help.

WorkSafe has charged the Whangarei Boys High School Board of Trustees following the tragic death of student Karnin Petera during a caving trip to Abbey Caves last year. The trip proceeded despite Metservice rain warnings for Northland and the school's risk assessment highlighting that the Abbey Caves were “prone to flooding.” Schools and their boards should closely follow this case and consider its impact on the types of activities they undertake. WorkSafe alleges that the Board failed in its duty as a PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking) to take all practicable steps to ensure health and safety. For more information or to get in touch with our employment law team, click the link below. #WorkSafe #healthandsafety #employmentlaw

Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. You can read the policy summary notes here: https://lnkd.in/eCMnuWmJ. It's huge -and there is far too much in there to try and discuss in a post -but please do read and think about what this might mean for you (whether "you" is an LA, a school, a Trust, a parent or other partners ) Something for schools to forward plan about are the proposed uniform changes (p68-limit on branded items)-how much run in time would you need to deliver this if it becomes law? Or maybe, you are already doing this..... Can I please ask schools to think about child employment now though?.There are some changes proposed to bring in more consistency and some more flexibility-there are some very old LA bye laws still in existence . But, for now, if a pupil at school mentions they have a paper round, works in a cafe at the weekend , helps out a local stables etc etc , would you think about checking with the LA whether they have a work permit? Would you know who to ask? These permits are needed to protect our children and young people and keep them safe in work whilst not allowing them to do inappropriate tasks. Without a permit for a child of CSA, there is a high risk that a workplace insurance policy would not pay out if there was an accident. You can also run sessions on this in assemblies etc You will have an LA child employment officer who can advise.

Let's take another look at why it's important to assess the risk of trees on school premises. Read the full article ⬇️ #Accidents #RiskAssessments #Schools #LocalAuthority #Councils

Empowering Ontario educators with the new Workplace Violence Risk Assessment. Sponsored by the Public Services Health & Safety Association, this initiative addresses rising workplace violence in K-12 schools and promotes safety planning tailored to school environments. https://hubs.la/Q02H9Hs10 #WorkplaceSafety #EducationSector #PSHSA #ViolencePrevention

⚠ The recently released 2023 ACU Principal Health, Safety, and Wellbeing Report continues to highlight a concerning trend of increasing incidents of violence and bullying towards principals, exacerbating their stress levels and impacting their mental health. 🚩 Everyone deserves a safe workplace, and it is simply intolerable that: ⚠ Nearly 50% of principals are facing physical, verbal and cyberbully attacks. ⚠ Offensive behaviour and physical violence towards school leaders has risen by 76.5% since the survey’s inception in 2011. 💪 This is why SASSLA is continuing to advocate for the extension of the Workers Compensation Additional Compensation Scheme to include the education workforce. This scheme is currently available to police, nurses, social workers and other groups providing front line services. 🤷♀️ Why not educators? ✅ This is one of our top employment priorities for 2024. See our website for more information sassla.au

🧠 𝙄𝙏’𝙎 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙇𝘼𝙎𝙏 𝙒𝙀𝙀𝙆 𝙊𝙁 𝘽𝙍𝘼𝙄𝙉 𝙄𝙉𝙅𝙐𝙍𝙔 𝘼𝙒𝘼𝙍𝙀𝙉𝙀𝙎𝙎 𝙈𝙊𝙉𝙏𝙃 🧠 Understanding the causes of TBI is crucial for prevention and, in cases where the TBI does occur, prompt intervention. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) occurs due to a variety of accidents, each with its own set of risks and potential for severity. These injuries can have significant, long-lasting effects on cognitive, emotional, and physical functions in a person’s day-to-day life. 1. Falls: Falls are a leading cause of TBI, especially among children and older adults. Falls from ladders, stairs, playground equipment, or slippery surfaces can result in head trauma. Children are particularly vulnerable due to their exploratory nature and higher likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors. 2. Motor Vehicle Accidents: Car, motorcycle, bicycle, and pedestrian accidents frequently lead to TBIs. The high speeds and forces involved in these collisions can cause the brain to collide with the skull, resulting in contusions, concussions, or more severe injuries. Even with safety measures like seat belts and helmets, the risk of TBI remains significant. 3. Sports Injuries: Contact sports such as football, soccer, and hockey pose a risk of TBI due to collisions, tackles, or falls. Concussions, a mild form of TBI, are common in these activities. Despite efforts to improve safety protocols and awareness, athletes continue to be susceptible to head injuries. 4. Assaults: Intentional acts of violence, including physical assaults and domestic abuse, frequently result in TBI. Blows to the head from punches, kicks, or weapons can cause severe brain trauma. Victims of such assaults may suffer from both physical and psychological consequences. 5. Workplace Accidents: Jobs involving heights, heavy machinery, or hazardous materials increase the risk of TBI. Construction workers, industrial laborers, and miners are particularly susceptible to head injuries due to falls, equipment malfunctions, or workplace collisions. Preventing TBI requires a multi-faceted approach, including education, safety regulations, protective equipment, and timely medical intervention. By understanding the causes and implementing preventive measures, individuals and communities can reduce the incidence and severity of traumatic brain injuries. ☎️ 305.937.0191 🌐 www.shakedlaw.com #TraumaticBrainInjury #TBIawareness #AccidentPrevention #FallSafety #MotorVehicleSafety #SportsSafety #AssaultPrevention #WorkplaceSafety #CombatInjuries #HeadInjuryAwareness #BrainHealth #InjuryPrevention #SafetyFirst #ProtectYourHead #StaySafe #PreventAccidents #ConcussionAwareness #BrainInjuryAwarenessMonth #SafetyMatters #KnowTheRisks

This latest Ideagen Education Risk Report highlights some of the key challenges and risks facing the education system, including the ongoing teacher shortages, increasing concerns for staff safety and wellbeing including occupational violence, and the rise in instances of school refusals. https://lnkd.in/gq9EUvrb