Risk Management

Risk is present in all activities, yet schools and their staff sometimes are unaware of these risks or the significance of the financial consequences associate with accidental losses. Risk management is an important process used to identify these risks and help your school mitigate their impact.

Risk Management Services

At CharterSAFE, we understand the financial limitations faced by charter schools and provide our members with advice about cost-effective and reasonable solutions. Below is a list of services we offer to members, at no additional cost:

• Risk Management Consulting: Expertise in charter school operations for pragmatic and relevant risk management support.
• Employee Training: CharterSAFE provides all members with Vector Solutions, the premier provider of online, on-demand courses to comply with California mandated training as well as well as recommended topics to support a culture of safety & compliance.
• Safety & Loss Control Inspections: From thorough onsite safety & loss control inspections of school sites, buildings, and playgrounds to self-inspection safety checklists, school leaders will have the information they need to increase campus safety.
• Contract Review: Review indemnity and insurance provisions in contractual agreements such as leases, facility use agreements, and vendor/ contractor agreements to ensure that the school is not taking on more risk than needed.
• Ergonomic Evaluations & Advice: Ergonomic evaluations for employees that provide practical solutions for a safe & healthy workplace.
• Safety Chats & Best Practices: Monthly safety topics and best practices on relevant topics to promote school safety.
• Policy Templates: Customizable templates on many health & safety topics.
• Risk Control Evaluation: A tool to review your current risk management practices to identify strengths and weaknesses for the risk management team to assist and advise on. 
• A List of Vetted Vendor Partners, Referrals, and Member- Added Resources

SAFETY CHATS

Safety Chats is a monthly safety topic intended for short meetings and school site postings to promote a culture of safety, enhance communication and training, prevent injuries and accidents, and foster a proactive approach to risk management in schools.

How to Use Safety Chats…

• Circulate to your staff on a regular basis
• Communicate at staff meetings
• Post in a common area where it is convenient for staff to read and sign

Safety Chats in PDF format are available to CharterSAFE members only. Please login to see the links below.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Let CharterSAFE’s Risk Management team keep you informed of important changes in the California legislative landscape that can directly impact our member schools. We encourage members to read each piece of legislation in its entirety and to contact legal counsel with questions regarding interpretation of the law.

Legislative Updates in PDF format are available to CharterSAFE members only. Please login to see the links below.

HIGH-RISK ACTIVITIES & COVERAGE LIMITATIONS

School-sponsored activities require evaluation of the perceived educational, cultural, and social benefits versus the potential risks. Certain activities are considered higher risk because they are more dangerous and may jeopardize the safety of your students. When planning an event that may be considered unique or high-risk, please contact the CharterSAFE Risk Management Team to discuss. Please note that a DEDUCTIBLE of Twenty- Five Hundred Dollars ($ 2,500) shall apply on a per-injury basis for the following activities:

Water depths greater than 2 feet  (including but not limited to scuba diving, sailing, fishing, swimming, dunk tanks)

Height more than 6 ft  (including but not limited to ziplining, rock climbing, bungee jumping, high ropes course)

Jumping and/or inflatable devices  (including but not limited to trampolines*, bounce houses, hamster balls, zorb balls, slides, mazes, and obstacle courses)

Activities involving animals  (including but not limited to horseback riding*)

Weapons of any kind  (including but not limited to airsoft and paintball guns, shooting ranges, etc.) 

Fire (including but not limited to fireworks)

Carnival Rides
 
*Except mini-trampolines and horse-back riding when part of Special Education Programs

INFLATABLES

Inflatable amusement devices, sometimes known as "bounce houses", are commonly provided at fundraisers and other school events. Unfortunately, where bounce houses are concerned, not everyone is having a good time.

CharterSAFE sees a trend of serious injuries associated with these devices. This includes a dislocated knee and a broken femur. The same problem is being reported across the country, where several deaths have occurred.

It should be a clue that few companies renting bounce houses will provide evidence of liability insurance. Instead, they ask the school to sign a waiver of liability, causing the school to be responsible for potential claims and litigation.

LIQUOR LIABILITY

In the past, CharterSAFE has required schools to obtain separate liquor liability insurance. Under the current year's liability coverage, there is no exclusion. While this is not an exposure that we welcome, there is coverage. That said, we do expect risk management techniques to be utilized: 

• Organizers must follow applicable laws relating to age verification. No one under the legal age - or who doesn't have an ID on their person - should be served.
• A method of limiting consumption should be instituted, e.g. maximum of two drink coupons per person, or (less preferable) charging a substantial amount that will naturally inhibit sales.
• Hire a qualified bartender from a vendor (caterer, etc.) that carries its own liability insurance.
• No alcohol on campus at any time.
• There should be a placard or some other form of notice that is readily visible that reminds attendees to drink responsibly and reminds them there is a two-drink limit.
• Attendees should be informed that the event organizers or bartenders will call a cab for them if they feel they should not drive after the event. This could be done by the Master of Ceremonies, or it could be posted at tables or the bar.

The JPA understands the importance of fundraising events to its members. However, the serving and sale of alcohol places a serious financial and moral responsibility upon the member organizations. Courts have adopted a zero-tolerance approach to DUI, and the penalties are severe.