Four Safety Basics to Reduce Workmans' Compensation Injuries and Costs

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Four Safety Basics to Reduce Workmans' Compensation Injuries and Costs

The California Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) has recently requested a substantial increase in California Workmans' Compensation insurance rates. In order to help contain future insurance premiums, it is vital that employers focus on injury prevention and workplace safety. A well maintained safety program can directly impact the cost of workers' compensation insurance costs.

Here are four tips that can be used to help keep employees safe and Workmans' Compensation costs down:

1. Implement an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP)
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Not only is an IIPP a necessity for regulatory compliance*, an effective IIPP will also help to control costs resulting from work-related injuries and associated costs. Your IIPP should address key items including authority and responsibility for the safety program, employee compliance, communication with employees, hazard assessment and correction, accident investigation, safety training and recordkeeping.

*All California employers are required by Cal/OSHA to have an Injury and Illness Prevention Program in place. Federal OSHA is currently considering a similar requirement.

2. Make Safety Everyone's Job

While it is necessary to designate specific individuals to administer the IIPP, it is also important to emphasize the company-wide shared responsibility for safety. In order for an IIPP to be effective, everyone from top management to supervisors and employees must buy in to and support the program. Make sure that managers and supervisors are adequately trained regarding company safety policies so that they can help to enforce these policies with their employees. Involve employees in the safety program, encouraging them to make safety suggestions, assist with hazard identification surveys and job hazard analysis. This creates a sense of employee ownership of workplace safety issues. Also consider incorporating safety into performance evaluations and bonus programs.

3. Consider a Safety Incentive Program

When done right, an incentive program can be a valuable addition to the company's overall safety program. Be wary of programs that discourage injury reporting; instead, try implementing a program that uses positive reinforcement, rewarding employees for contributing to workplace safety by making safety suggestions, following safe work practices and assisting with hazard identification efforts.

4. Consider Outsourcing Safety Administration

Many organizations attempt to institute an effective, cost efficient Risk Management Program in an effort to reduce increases in their California workmans' compensation costs, resulting from workplace injuries. These programs may be difficult to implement, often with unproductive and costly results. Consider contracting with a Human Resources Outsourcing firm to assist you. These firms employs safety specialists and risk management consultants to assist you in the creation and implementation of an effective safety plan. From an initial inspection and walk-through, to a comprehensive safety manual and risk management meeting schedule, an HR outsourcing firm can help put your workmans' comp program on the fast track to success.

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