Risk Management Annual Report
Agenda Item 12.A
By Bianka Buchanan, Human Resources Officer
Tim Karcz, Senior Risk Manager, California Joint Powers Insurance Authority Meeting Date: February 17, 2026
Pismo Beach Risk Management Program
Policies, Programs and Risk Pool Coverage
Minimizing the City’s Risk Exposure
•Employee injury claims
•Third-party liability claims
•Property loss
CJPIA: Claims Administration & Risk Partner
•Training, including regulatory
safety training.
•Compliance: Advises the City on
OSHA requirements.
•Risk Analysis: Evaluates trends and
claim exposure to recommend
policy and procedural changes.
CJPIA serves as the City’s agent throughout the claims process.
City’s Three Major Risk Management Programs
How the City manages risk across people, property & liability Workers’ Compensation
Program
Employee Safety
- Injury Prevention
- Claims Management
- Return-to-Work Coordination
Property Insurance Program
- Real Property, Including
Buildings, Automobiles, and
Equipment.
General Liability Program
- Vehicle Collisions
- Trip & Falls
- Sewer backups
Effective January 1, 2026, CJPIA
transitioned from Carl Warren &
Company to Athens
Administrators.
Risk Management Governance & Collaboration
City Council
• Policy Direction & Oversight
City Manager &
Executive Team
• Strategic Leadership
CJPIA
• Risk Management & Claim
Support
Staff
• Implementation & Reporting
Risk
Management
Program
Worker’s Compensation
Primary WC Claim Cost
Claim Frequency and Severity
•90% reduction in
Work Comp Claims
Costs from 2024 to
2025
Change20252024
SeverityFrequencySeverityFrequency
$0.00 8$0.00 9Record Only
-62%$7,615.24 5$20,185.31 2Medical Only
-94%$11,428.28 4$177,710.00 3Indemnity
-90%$19,043.52 17$197,895.31 14Total
Training Activities - 2025
•288 Individual Employee
Trainings
•276 – In-Person Trainings
•12 – Online Trainings
•Public Safety Services
•Mental Wellness
•Functional Mobility
2025 In-Person Session History
Mandated Reporter Training
CPR/AED/First-Aid Safety
Driver Safety
Environmental Safety – Lead, Asbestos and Mold Awareness Training Fire Extinguisher Safety Training
Hazardous Materials (HAZWOPER) - First Responder Awareness Level Bucket Truck Safety Training
Big 4: BBP, Bio Hazard, Hearing and Heat
Traffic Control Technician and Flagger Operations
Lockout Tagout Authorized and Basic Electrical Safety
Trenching/Shoring/Excavating - User Awareness
Confined Space Entry - Refresher
Trenching/Shoring/Excavating - Competent Person
Playground Safety
AC Pipe - Refresher Training
Risk Management Educational Forum
ADA Coordinator Training
Great to MAGNUS Leadership Workshop
Supervisor Essential Skills Program
Scheduled Training
2026
Event NameDate
Hazardous Materials (HAZWOPER) - First Responder Awareness Level2/11/2026 Hazardous Materials (HAZWOPER) - First Responder Awareness Level2/12/2026 Workplace Harassment Prevention Training for Supervisors & Local Agency Officials3/11/2026 Workplace Harassment Prevention Training for General Employees3/11/2026 Workplace Harassment Prevention Training for General Employees3/12/2026 Workplace Harassment Prevention Training for Supervisors & Local Agency Officials3/12/2026 Bucket Truck Safety Training4/22/2026
Bucket Truck Safety Training4/22/2026
Fall Protection Awareness5/7/2026
Fall Protection Awareness5/7/2026
Big 4: BBP, Bio Hazard, Hearing and Heat6/17/2026
Big 4: BBP, Bio Hazard, Hearing and Heat6/17/2026
Hand and Portable Power Tools Training9/3/2026
Hand and Portable Power Tools Training9/3/2026
AC Pipe - Refresher Training11/4/2026
Environmental Safety – Lead, Asbestos and Mold Awareness Training12/9/2026 Environmental Safety – Lead, Asbestos and Mold Awareness Training12/9/2026
Third-Party Liability
Claim Frequency and Severity
•The City’s cost of claims is less than the pool’s average •70% of claims received are related to streets, roads, and related public infrastructure •Slip, Trips, and Falls are the most common type of claim received
Third-Party Liability
Claim Frequency and Severity
•The City’s cost of claims is less than the pool’s average •70% of claims received are related to streets, roads, and related public infrastructure •Slip, Trips, and Falls are the most common type of claim received
Use of California JPIA Services
•Training
•Ergonomics
•Public Safety Mental Health
•Sidewalk Deviation Management
•Policy Development
ADA Assistance Program Progress
•Facilities/Parks/Trails
•60% complete
•Sidewalks
•95% Complete
•Policy/Procedure Review
•In progress, ongoing
•Public Input Responses
•Public input window closes late February.
2025 Risk Management Annual Report Summary
•The city is a valued partner of the California JPIA and a large consumer of our services •288 CJPIA Training Sessions Completed by Employees in 2025 Liability
•Slips, Trips, and Falls are the most common claim made against the city •Claim cost per $100 of payroll is higher than pool average •50% of all liability claims costs are due to one claim, currently holding a large reserve Workers’ Compensation
•90% Reduction in claims cost from 2024 to 2025
•The 5-year cost of claims average is higher than pool averages •Strains, sprains, and contusions are the most common injury
Questions?