Round Rock ISD Controls Slips and Falls from the Ground Up

Round Rock ISD Risk Manager George Scherer is on a mission to embed workplace safety in the district's culture. He has an ally in Director of Custodial Services Quincy Bland. Collaborating with leadership, George and Quincy rolled out a new program aimed at reigning in the leading cause of workplace injuries among operations teams.

Harnessing the Power of Data

As a veteran risk manager, George knows the power of data to uncover workplace hazards. He coordinates quarterly meetings where TASB Risk Solutions Consultant Charles Hueter reviews the district's loss history reports with operations leadership and identify opportunities to support their accident prevention measures.

The data shows slips, trips, and falls account for the lion's share of workers' compensation claims reported by custodians. Wet kitchen floors, greasy transportation shops, and ice-covered bus steps increase the risk for all operations team members.

Proper footwear can go a long way toward keeping employees' feet on solid ground. So, the district worked with a vendor to provide staff with footwear designed for their unique roles. Employees received subsidies based on need.

For example, custodians prioritized slip resistance, while mechanics required added protection such as composite toes.

Staying Power

Like many Fund members, Round Rock ISD faces budget constraints. George credits district leadership with giving the shoe initiative staying power.

"Superintendent Dr. Hafedh Azaiez and CFO/COO Dennis Covington and are 100 percent committed and on board. Support and buy-in from not only senior leadership but also from staff really drive this program," said George.

Leadership support means more than committing financial resources. That’s why Quincy follows the same safety procedures he expects his team to follow.

"I’m proud to lead by example, wearing my safety shoes and ensuring safety remains a value across the district,” said Quincy.

Multipronged Campaign

The shoe initiative is a key cog in Round Rock ISD’s multipronged slip and fall prevention campaign that includes year-round training, short "toolbox talks" during team meetings, continuous verbal reminders, and standard operating procedures.

Quincy ensures his team receives training in their native languages, which include Spanish and Vietnamese, on topics like:

• Wet/dry mopping techniques
• Safe handling of floorcare equipment
• Gym floor refinishing, floorcare stripping, waxing, and deep-carpet cleaning
• Student spill cleanups, accident response, and flood mitigation

More than a Policy

George and the team need several years of loss history data to evaluate the shoe initiative. But Quincy's quick to add that while metrics matter, the program’s significance can’t be captured solely in claims trends.

"This is more than a footwear policy,” said Quincy. “It’s a reflection of leadership's commitment to ensuring everyone goes home safely at the end of the day. From the classroom to the custodial closet, we all play a role in creating safe places to work and learn."

With a foundation built on leadership commitment, employee engagement, and data-driven insights, a culture of safety is gaining traction at Round Rock ISD.

Ready to Implement an Accident Prevention Plan?

An accident prevention plan (APP) serves as a roadmap for controlling workplace accidents and their costs. If your district is ready to implement an APP, take advantage of this customizable template (login required) and contact your risk solutions consultant for guidance.