Imagine for a moment that you are a small business insured by SAIF, or that you are in Oregon's Assigned Risk Pool and your policy is serviced by SAIF. You find that your business has slowed down and it's difficult keeping up with your workers' comp premiums. Some of your workers have been injured on the job. You're on a first-name basis with an OR-OSHA inspector, and you are beginning to realize that something has to change. But you're no safety expert, and you
don't know where to begin.
If this scenario seems more like reality than makebelieve, then you now have an advocate in SAIF's new Safety Services group.
Safety Services, which began formal operation in January 2009, is a group of professionals whose purpose is to respond to the needs of SAIF's small and mid-sized customers as well as those that have an Assigned Risk policy serviced by SAIF. Supporting customers with phonebased or in-person consulting, as well as classes on a variety of useful subjects, Safety Services can make a major difference to the economic viability of SAIF's policyholders.
Helping to manage costs
Workers' comp premiums can get more expensive for a business as its rate tier changes from "Standard" to "Non-standard." SAIF's underwriters base their premium pricing decisions on a wide variety of factors that include a business's loss experience, risk control, and its ability to pay premiums in a timely manner.
Safety Services is available to provide resources and assistance to small and mid-sized policyholders who want to improve their safety culture and implement the necessary programs to reduce or eliminate workplace injuries.
By email, by phone, by car
Safety Services' range of experience runs the gamut, from construction and farm safety to lifting and ergonomics. Most of their interaction with policyholders occurs via email and telephone, and consists of asking questions to learn about the business operations, assessing hazards, risks, and exposures, and making recommendations to address safety issues. If needed, Safety Services consultants will schedule an on-site visit to work with the business contact to address hazards and concerns that couldn't be effectively handled over the phone.
"Safety Services epitomizes what SAIF is all about," said Judi Croft, safety consultant training supervisor. "We want to provide exceptional service while helping policyholders develop a sustainable, safe workplace. This team of safety management consultants has a tremendous amount of energy and passion for helping Oregon employers. We can connect employers to resources that can have a positive impact on their bottom line.'
"This team of safety management consultants has a tremendous amount of energy and passion for helping Oregon employers," Croft said.
One of the most significant steps a small business can take to improve its safety, and thus its premium cost, is to develop and implement basic elements of an effective safety culture.
According to Laurie LaBrasseur, safety management consultant with Safety Services, "There's really no substitute for creating a culture of safety within your company. Once workers are made aware of the risks they take for granted and begin to look after one another, the benefits extend far beyond the decrease in the workers' compensation premium."
5 things you can do today to improve your safety
It doesn't take a lot of time or money to create an effective safety system. Since a sustainable safety culture is seldom achieved in a day, we encourage you to call Safety Services at 877.242.5211 for a conversation about the best steps to take. Here are some of the most important ones:
- Implement a safety committee and hold safety meetings to involve your employees in building a safety culture, helping to eliminate workplace injuries. Two excellent resources on this topic can be found at:
- www.orosha.org/pdf/pubs/0989.pdf
- www.orosha.org/pdf/pubs/fact_sheets/fs31.pdf
- Take advantage of free safety publications, free safety video lending libraries, and free safety training sessions. For some of these resources, see:
- www.saif.com > I am: An Employer
- www.orosha.org
- Complete the Employer Safety and Health Program Self-Assessment available on saif.com. This publication will assist you in evaluating your safety and health programs.
- www.saif.com > I am: An Employer > Safety
- Review your new employee orientation process and make sure you are dedicating time to teaching new employees about your workplace safety policies and procedures.
- Evaluate your own safety behaviors and those of other managers, supervisors, or leaders in your business. If you aren't following the rules, your employees won't either.