Workers' Compensation

The policy should be signed by a top company official and express the employer’s commitment to workplace safety and health. It should outline responsibilities for managers, supervisors, team leaders and employees. All new hires should be provided with a copy to reinforce the importance of safety in the work place. Posting the policy in common areas and/or including it with payroll checks once a year will ensure that all employees are aware of the company’s commitment to safety. 

Lead by example. Safety should be emphasized by the highest levels of management from the Company president down to the first line supervisors. Safety should be discussed at all levels of staff meetings and board of directors meetings to show the commitment made by the organization. Senior management should attend training sessions and conduct safety audits in their departments. First line supervisors should conduct accident investigations and participate in new hire safety orientation. By taking the lead, management ensures that safety is, in fact, a company commitment. 

Distribution of a safety and health policy or a risk survey are examples of safety communication efforts. However, as the old cliché goes, communication is the key to success, so additional communication may be necessary. For instance, communication regarding whether or not important safety activities are being performed will ensure that the activities are actually performed. Such activities may include: timely reporting of injuries and management attendance at training sessions. 

Distribution of a safety and health policy or a risk survey are examples of safety communication efforts. However, as the old cliché goes, communication is the key to success, so additional communication may be necessary. For instance, communication regarding whether or not important safety activities are being performed will ensure that the activities are actually performed. Such activities may include: timely reporting of injuries and management attendance at training sessions. 

While safety should be everyone’s job, it’s a great idea to have an individual that can coordinate and execute the organization’s risk management program. This individual should be responsible for continuing education programs, researching and looking for the latest most effective issues in risk management. The Safety Program Coordinator should bring what they learn back to the organization and work with other employees to improve the program. They could also be the point of contact for all employee safety concerns/suggestions. 

To control workers’ compensation expenses, it is important to bring injured workers back in a productive capacity as quickly as medically appropriate. Employees that transition back to work on modified duty before they are fully recovered have been known to heal faster. Injured worker restrictions, which are provided by the employees’ physician, should never be exceeded. Combined with other cost containment measures such as wage continuation while the employee is off, an early return to work will reduce the cost of the claim and as a result reduced premium. The injured worker should know that the company is concerned about the employees’ recovery. Keep in regular contact with the employee. Stay in touch and stay informed. Discuss alternate jobs with the injured employee and always communicate offers to return to work via certified mail.