KEENAN & ASSOCIATES INC.

KEENAN SAFESCHOOLS ONLINE TRAINING

www.keenan.com/technology/keenan-safe-schools

After meeting with more than 50 California public education professionals such as superintendents, chief business officers and risk managers, insurance broker Keenan & Associates Inc. saw a need to address efficiencies and safety for schools facing fiscal challenges.

To address such challenges, the Torrance, Calif.-based privately held brokerage developed a Web-based safety training and tracking system for schools to comply with requirements of California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health.

Keenan SafeSchools Online Training, a 2013 Business Insurance Innovation Award winner, houses 175 safety and risk management online training modules and allows risk managers to administer courses, track compliance progress and document training completions. The product is built on an existing tool that was extensively enhanced in 2012.

While schools face difficult resource constraints, they are among the most regulated industries in California, said John Stephens, Keenan's senior vice president and property/ casualty practice leader in Torrance. “Obviously they don't want to sacrifice safety, but the reality is that some of those things were being hindered.”

The online training system, which is available to staff any time, allows risk managers to set a planned training schedule throughout the year, said Kathy Espinoza, Keenan's assistant vice president of ergo-nomics and safety and Keenan SafeSchools product leader, in Torrance.

Specific training courses covering emergency management and employment practices, among others, are available to users. “The risk manager has strategized and put (the training courses) there as part of their risk improvement action plan,” she said.

Throughout 700 school districts in California, Keenan SafeSchools also collects vast amounts of data so “we know exactly what's driving losses for our districts, and we design courses that speak specifically to what those loss drivers are,” said Christine Gerbasi, vice president of property/casualty for Keenan in Torrance.

Some school districts “have seen about a 15% reduction in their work comp severity,” she said, noting that such districts also have seen reductions on property and liability exposures.