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Amy Trueblood, account manager at Awards Network, an organization in LaPorte, Ind., that sells safety awards programs. She continues: “Many (companies) regularly hold meetings at the beginning of a new shift. I have found this presents a great opportunity for managers to discuss safety with their employees.” Meeting topics can include how to avoid a known safety hazard, how an accident was prevented or how a recent accident could be avoided in the future. “These meetings also give (companies) a chance to recognize employees for safety achievements in front of peers, which will positively reinforce employee attitudes about safety in the workplace,” Trueblood says. Some employers establish awards programs that give employees incentives for injury-free work days. As vital as safety programs are, they can be counterproductive if poorly managed. Trueblood offers four “don’ts”: ➤ Don’t set up safety goals that will encourage employees to not report accidents. ➤ Don’t develop a safety program but then fail to establish bench- Additional resources 44 | BedTimes | April 2010 ‘Slips, trips and falls are by far the most common accidents for almost all employers. I see a ton of knee and ankle injuries resulting from what seem like minor accidents.’ marks or track its success over time. ➤ Don’t cap award earnings so that people slack off during periods when they can’t earn safety gifts. ➤ Don’t award safety gifts without considering the different tastes and preferences of employees. need HelP develoPing an effective workPlace safety Program or better understanding workers’ compensation insurance? You may have good resources right in your community. “Your insurance carrier may be glad to visit your business and conduct a safety inspection,” says James J. Moore, president of J&L Risk Management Consultants, a Raleigh, N.C.,-based firm that helps employers manage workers’ comp costs. “Further, your chamber of commerce and local community colleges may have leads to consultants who can provide assistance.” Other options: ➤ Insurance Information Institute This organization offers a primer on workers’ comp. Check www.iii.org/smallbusiness/intro and click on “Workers’ Compensation.” ➤ Advanced Insurance Management How do you spot significant overcharges in your workers’ comp bill? That question and others are answered at www.cutcomp.com/questions.htm. ➤ National Safety Council This group provides consultants and maintains helpful materials on its Web site, www.nsc.org. ➤ Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA offers information on laws and provides links to state agencies at www.osha.gov. Control fraud As mentioned previously, the no-fault nature of workers’ comp laws usually means that employers find it difficult to defend against claims. But that doesn’t mean that steps shouldn’t be taken to ferret out cases of clear fraud. Fraudulent activities result in increased workers’ comp exposure and higher premiums. “Workers’ compensation fraud comes in many forms,” Fox says. “An injury can be staged. Or there can be simple malingering by an employee who is content collecting indemnity payments but who is really able to work. Or the employee may be collecting indemnity payments while working elsewhere.” Insurance companies often contract with third parties to engage in surveillance that can help debunk workers’ comp fraud. For example, video footage may show the employee doing yard work or other physical labor that undermines a claim of his inability to work. Or they might uncover evidence that the person is working another job. Stay involved “Vigilance is absolutely key in managing workers’ compensation claims,” Fox says. “It starts at the time of injury with an investigation to determine if a claim is compensable under workers’ compensation laws. Beyond that you need to be involved after claims are filed. “If your claims are being managed by a third-party administrator or an insurance company, make sure that organization is keeping an eye on the claim, assuring the claimant is not working elsewhere and checking periodically with medical providers to assess the status of the claimant’s medical condition.” Workers’ comp benefits are typically divided into medical (reimbursement for doctor and hospital bills) and indemnity (payments for lost wages). “Controlling medical costs is very important because they now represent a much larger portion of total workers’ compensation costs than they did 20 years ago,” Fox says. www.sleepproducts.org/bedtimes
yBekaert Textiles A true breakthrough in mattress fabric, removing dust mite allergens and other irritants in a natural, eco-friendly way to create a healthier sleep environment. interzum award: intelligent material & design 2009 Visit: www.bekaerttextiles.com | info@bekaerttextiles.com | P: (336)769-4300 | F:(336)769-4301
Page 1 and 2: BedTimes APRIL 2010 THE BUSINESS JO
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Page 7: EDITOR IN CHIEF Julie A. Palm 336-7
Page 10 and 11: Lorne Romoff V.P. Sales & Marketing
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Page 15 and 16: LegalBriefing 3 scary words: You’
Page 18 and 19: Liberty Threads, N.A., Inc. Proudly
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Page 36: Hiring right Roberta Chinsky Matuso
Page 39 and 40: In response to growing concerns in
Page 42 and 43: Seeking ways to fix workers’ comp
Page 44 and 45: No-fault coverage No one wants to d
Page 48 and 49: “And there is no indication that
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