Formal focus on employee safety & welfare improves workers' comp program results, reduces injuries & total cost of risk
The Challenge
PMA partnered with SCSD to implement a holistic approach to the district's workers' compensation program that would help provide a safer, healthier workplace for employees. Together, they deployed best practices, including hiring an internal risk management specialist, and focused on initiatives that would directly reduce staff occupational illnesses and injuries. Over time, SCSD instituted accident investigations to learn how to reduce future incidents, building inspections to identify and remedy safety hazards, SafeSchools training, a formal return to work program, and ongoing safety training and education for all employees.
Partnership Results
2007-2018
- 22% reduction in lost-time claim frequency
- Improved average time to report new claims to 1.9 days
- $1.7 million in medical savings over the last 12 months
- 25% reduction in "struck by or injured by" lost-time claims in 2017
- Strategic safety initiatives helped to reduce loss leader claims in specific schools and district locations
- District-wide employee training continues to foster a culture of safety,
reduce injuries, and improve outcomes
“The Syracuse City School District has, in collaboration with our partners at PMA, implemented a wide-ranging risk management program, which is creating the foundation for a culture of safety throughout the District.”
— Jennifer Wells, Risk Manager, Syracuse City School District
About Syracuse City School District
The Syracuse City School District educates more than 21,000 students each day, from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. With 4 out of 5 students coming from economically disadvantaged families, they embrace the challenge of giving all students a vibrant education. The District’s mission is to build, support and sustain school communities that provide all students with a high-quality education that prepares them to graduate as responsible, active citizens ready for success in college and careers and prepared to
compete in a global economy.
About PMA Companies
With over 100 years of experience, we are a trusted leader and recognized expert in commercial risk management insurance solutions and services. We specialize in workers' compensation and holistic TPA services. With a relentless focus on clients, we work with them to jointly tackle the risk management challenges that impact their total cost of risk and business results. Our service-driven culture is one of accountability, teamwork, and performance—so every day, every employee is working hard on
behalf of our clients. PMA Companies includes PMA Insurance Group, PMA Management Corp., and PMA Management Corp. of New England. Headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, PMA Companies is part of the Old Republic General Insurance Group (orgig.com), the largest business segment within the Old Republic International Corporation (NYSE: ORI), one of the nation’s 50 largest publicly held insurance organizations.
