The Risk Management division provides services across 25 City departments and is comprised of workers’ compensation and safety . The combined efforts of these teams help identify, analyze, administer, manage and control the city’s adverse exposure to financial, operational, and occupational safety risks and losses.
Eddie Aguilar-Hernandez
Assistant Director
A message from the HR-Risk Management Assistant Director:
"The City of Houston is committed to creating a workplace that is free of hazards, harm, unsafe work practices, and safety compromises. HR-Risk Management’s objective is to promote a culture and a workforce that values safety, accountability, and mutual regard.
Each department readily acknowledges that employees are the city’s most important asset, so HR-Risk Management collaborates interdepartmentally to reduce incidents, and the fiscal impact and loss of work productivity often associated with those incidents.
The City of Houston believes that safety is intentional—not accidental—and effective incident prevention practices enhance productivity, they don’t hinder it."
Driven by the vision and mission of the Human Resources Department, we uphold the following guiding principles:
- Comprehensive Risk Assessment: We proactively identify, evaluate, and manage risks to ensure a safe and secure environment all stakeholders.
- Strong Partnerships: We foster trusted relationships with internal and external partners to enhance shared goals and resource effectiveness.
- Consultative Approach: We encourage open communication and teamwork across all levels and departments to drive innovation and problem-solving.
- Strategic Mitigation Planning: We develop and implement robust mitigation strategies to minimize risks and ensure operational resilience.
- Effective Utilization of Technology: We leverage advanced technologies to streamline processes, improve decision-making, and enhance overall efficiency.
- Empowerment: We actively involve employees in decision-making, recognizing their contributions as vital to organizational success and a positive workplace culture.
- Compassion: We approach risk with empathy and understanding, recognizing that behind every policy, procedure, and incident are individuals and communities affected by our decisions.
- Timely Return-to-Work Pathways: We support and facilitate safe, efficient, and compassionate return-to-work processes to promote health, well-being, and productivity.
Risk Management Sections
Occupational Safety
The HR-Risk Management Occupational Safety Section identifies, assesses, and mitigates workplace hazards through data-driven programs to protect employees, property, and the environment.
Safety Professionals conduct multidisciplinary, interdepartmental work to supervise, plan, and implement a comprehensive safety program for the City of Houston. Their primary focus is to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses through:
- Collaborative strategies
- Hazard identification and elimination
- Data analysis and predictive analytics
- Promotion of a safety-centric work culture
Workers’ Compensation
The HR-Risk Management Workers’ Compensation Section provides medical and wage replacement benefits to employees who become injured or ill as a direct result of their employment.
WC Coordinators serve as liaisons between the injured employee, their department, and the Workers’ Compensation Third-Party Administrator (TPA) throughout the recovery process.
Key responsibilities of WC Coordinators include:
- Managing disability/return-to-work documentation
- Ensuring accurate, timely salary continuation payments
- Proactively communicating with assigned departments
- Submitting statutory employer forms to TPA Claims Examiners
- Requesting Council Action for classified employees needing extended leave
Senior Staff
Cory Worden
Deputy Assistant Director
Stanley Tucker
Safety Manager
Felicia Douglas
Administration Manager
Oscar Farinas
Safety Manager
Yolandra Shaw
Administration Manager
Eric Travis
Safety Manager
Andrea Gonzales
Safety Manager
William Paul
Staff Analyst
Autumn Savoy
Staff Analyst
Sindy Estrella
Administrative Specialist
