How Region 1, Irving ISD Leverage Data to Manage Risk 

The Fund's new Data Center makes it easier than ever for members to access and analyze details about their claims. But why would you invest time digging into your data? Irving ISD Director of Benefits Ashly Witek and Human Resources Coordinator Aileen Vital from Irving ISD and ESC Region 1 Benefits Specialist Cynthia Rocha explained how they leverage their organization's claims data to drive strategic risk management decisions.  

Tell us about the value of claims data in your risk management initiatives. 

Region 1 - We rely on our data to track how much we’re spending on individual claims and to compare claims-related expenses quarterly and annually.  

Irving ISD - We use dashboards to track key indicators such as injury frequency by department or campus, types of injuries (e.g., slips, strains, burns), and time of day incidents occur. These visualizations help us quickly spot trends in current and historical data, allowing us to focus our efforts where they’re most needed. 

How has data influenced policies or procedures? 

Region 1 - Our staff can submit work orders to have the custodial team move heavy furniture. Recently, our claims data showed a trend in strain injuries caused by employees moving furniture themselves. We investigated and learned staff often bypassed work orders because they didn't want to wait for assistance. In response, we implemented a standard operating procedure making work orders mandatory. 

What challenges have you faced in collecting and responding to injury data? 

Irving ISD - Our employees used to submit injury reports on paper, leading to issues like incomplete forms, illegible handwriting, and delays. So, we launched a 24/7 digital injury reporting form that allows us to make real-time interventions. 

For example, we resolved an electrical hazard within hours of an employee being shocked while turning the lights off. Another time, we repaired a pothole the same day it caused an employee to trip. 

How does your leadership team use claims data? 

Region 1 - We share claims severity data with our leadership team, including the CFO. The data gives him a clear view of claims costs, which helps him monitor financial impact. Our deputy director also uses the data for budget forecasting. 

What type of support has your  TASB Risk Solutions Consultant provided? 

Irving ISD - We collaborated with our consultant to add pivotal tables to our Fund loss history reports. Pivot tables help us monitor claim costs, track claim durations, and identify areas needing targeted intervention. 

As a result, we will be able to enhance our existing dashboards with more analytics, like cost incurred by claim and injury type, making the data not only more actionable but also easier for stakeholders across departments to interpret and use in decision-making. 

How do you leverage data to engage employees in workplace safety? 

Region 1 - We look beyond the numbers to understand context and tell a story. For example, we encourage employees to report every incident, no matter how minor. As a result, we’ve had quarters where claim counts increased but severity (expenditures) decreased. That’s positive news, and it gives employees a sense of ownership over safety. 

What advice would you give other organizations about leveraging data to manage risk? 

Region 1 - Don’t just download your claims data; interpret it. Look for patterns, share insights with leadership, and use the data to tell a story. And remember your TASB risk solutions consultant and marketing consultant are here to help you access and interpret your data. 

Irving ISD - One of the most limiting phrases in any organization is, “We’ve always done it that way.” Explore new methods of injury reporting and data collection; even a small change can lead to significant improvements. Taking that first step can open the door to more informed decisions and a safer environment for everyone in your district.