Another Alternative - SAIF Corporation

As we look back at the history and origin of the State Accident Insurance Fund, it’s important toremember that while the mission hasn’t changed since 1913, the setting, marketplace, economy andtechnology have. We took this opportunity to talk with a few of SAIF’s longest-standing employees,to hear their perspectives, and to hear about some of the changes they’ve seen over the years.Connie MusicCorporate ServicesManagerHired: 1974Connie Musicworks in SAIF’sadministrativeservices area,managing thefunctions of thephotocopy center,storage, purchasing, mail center, and delivery shuttle. She’sworked up to this responsibility since starting as a photo copyclerk nearly 30 years ago.“We used to hand-stamp all the mail, she says. “Noweverything is machine perforated. It’s unbelievable to think howefficient we are now compared to when we were a state agency ageneration ago.”When Connie began, SAIF was still housed in the Labor andIndustries building on Winter Street in Salem. One week into hernew job, the office moved to its current location just south ofdowntown.She says SAIF has been a good employer, with excellentbenefits and a good environment. She has appreciated throughthe years how much the culture is oriented toward injuredworkers, employers, and SAIF’s own employees.“One thing you see working at SAIF this long is thededication that people have to the job they’re doing,” shesays. “We take care of workers, we keep the promises to thepolicyholders, and we catch frauds. It’s a big responsibility. ”Like the rest of SAIF’s employees, she sees and hears thestories and accusations about SAIF, and she hears the questionsfrom people she meets. Connie says that, despite misinformationthat she hears in the media, she’s always proud to say that sheworks at SAIF.“We’re good at what we do, that’s the bottom line,” shesays. “SAIF is doing a good job for Oregon by fulfilling its mission,and we’ll continue to do a good job.”Lisa WilchClaims Supervisor– Southern RegionHired: 1973Lisa started at SAIFone week aftergraduating highschool. Her job wasto type the indexcards that served asthe only records ofthe claim numbers.She says technology has been the one thing that’s changednearly every aspect of work.“In 1982, we had a walk-up computer in claims that we sharedas the Salem branch office,” says Lisa. “But lots of people didn’ttrust the automated diary system, so they kept duplicate IBM punchcards in their desks of the claims they were working on. It was thatimportant to them that they not lose track of their claims.”In 1989, SAIF underwent drastic changes to improveits performance leading up to the Mahonia Hall workers’compensation reforms. As part of the operational re-organization,each adjuster was issued a desktop PC.At the same time, SAIF invested in a new note-taking programthat allowed adjusters and others working on a claim to makenotes about the progress on the claim. A version of this is still inuse today. Here are three things Lisa has seen in her 30 years atSAIF that she says have helped shape SAIF:Communication: “When I started, we didn’t have theresources to consult with employers and find ways to reducereserves, or look into how permanent total disabilities affect thelong-term results. We know now that communication producesbetter results for everyone.”Collaboration: “After Oregon’s workers’ compensationsystem was reformed in 1990, SAIF organized its teams toallow specialization on certain types of claims – assigningdifficult claims to adjusters with more knowledge and workexperience. We also created “resource team” staffings to discussclaim situations and come up with a plan to bring the claim toresolution.”Technology: “Revolutionary things like e-mail and imageddocuments have helped us overcome the barriers of distance.Now, the adjuster, attorney, and return-to-work consultant canall see the claim at the same time. And the employer can accessinformation about the claim at any time of the day or night.“I love what I do,” says Lisa with a big smile. “You go inand try to help people, and you get a paycheck. I’ve never reallyconsidered this a job.”S A I F C O R P O R A T I O Nw w w. s a i f . c o m13

trainingOPPORTUNITIESSAIF Corporation is pleased to present a series of informational training sessionsthroughout the state. Many sessions are offered at no cost to SAIF policyholders.Seating is limited and based on a first-come, first-serve basis. To register, call thecontact person listed for your location. Visit www.saif.com for a full policyholdertraining schedule.CENTRAL OREGONContact: Beverly Wilson (541) 383-2600Location: JJ North’s Grand Buffet, BendWednesday, August 1, 200411:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.HIPAA Update(Health Insurance Portabilityand Accountability Act)COOS BAYLocation: SWOCC, Empire Hall, Con. Rm GContact: Cayrol Dado (541) 756-3118Includes lunchWednesday, July 14, 200411:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.HIPAA UpdateEUGENELocation: Oregon Electric Station27 E. 5th Ave., EugeneContact: Tracy Ohmer (541) 683-6700**Cost: $11, includes lunch; cash/check onlyThursday, July 15, 200411:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.Spinal Injuries - Preventing Back Injuries**Thursday, August 19, 200411:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.The Many Faces of Fraud**Thursday, September 16, 200411:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.Infection Control**Thursday, October 21, 200411:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.FMLA/OFLA**Thursday, November 18, 200411:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.DataComp**PORTLANDLocation: SAIF Corporation15333 S.W. Sequoia ParkwayFree continental breakfastContact: Maggie Hultquist (503) 598-5742Thursday, July 15, 20048:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.Integrity Testing - Results of ScreeningFinal Applicants May Shock You!Thursday, August 12, 20048:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.Privacy - The New FrontierThursday, September 16, 20048:15 a.m. - noonClaims BasicsThursday, October 14, 20048:15 a.m. - noonHow to Build an Effective RTW ProgramThursday, October 21, 20048:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.EAIP TrainingThursday, November 18, 20048:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.Crooked is as Crooked Does - Fraud in theWorkers’ Compensation SystemTHE DALLESLocation: Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant1240 W 6th Street, The DallesContact: Beverly Wilson (541) 383-2600Cost $6.62 for lunchTuesday, September 21, 200411:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.Training Process:Getting 100% UnderstandingSALEMContact: Judy Boisselle (503) 373-8384Wednesday, July 14, 20048:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.Spanish Only - Manual Material Handlingand Portable LaddersRed Lion Hotel - 3301 Market St. N.E.Thursday, July 15, 20048:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.Drug Testing - What, When and HowSAIF Conf. Ctr. - 480 Church St. S.E.Thursday, August 19, 20048:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.Hiring Practices - How to Hire the Best EmployeesSAIF Conf. Ctr. - 480 Church St. S.E.Thursday, September 16, 20048:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.OSHA TrainingSAIF Conf. Ctr. - 480 Church St. S.E.Thursday, October 21, 20048:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.Sprains and Strains - Soft Tissue InjurySAIF Conf. Ctr. - 480 Church St. S.E.Thursday, November 18, 20048:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.Return-to-Work and Employer-at-Injury ProgramSAIF Conf. Ctr. - 480 Church St. S.E.HOOD RIVERLocation: Grace Su’s China Gorge Restaurant2680 Old Columbia River Drive, Hood RiverContact: Beverly Wilson (541) 383-2600Cost $8.63 for lunchWednesday, September 22, 200411:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.Training Process: Getting 100% UnderstandingLA GRANDELocation: Mamacita’s, 2003 4th Street, LaGrandeContact: Beverly Wilson (541) 383-2600Lunch available at locationWednesday, September 8, 200411:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.Workplace Communication SkillsHERMISTONLocation: Panda Inn, 675 N 1st Street, HermistonContact: Beverly Wilson (541) 383-2600Cost $5.50 for lunchThursday, September 9, 200411:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.Workplace Communication Skillspayroll reportingmade simpleNow you can prepareaccurate payroll reportsin just minutes!14 S A I F C O R P O R A T I O N w w w. s a i f . c o mCall for your free demo CD

How many days of time lossdoes the average acceptedclaim for “fall from ladder orelevation” incur?A. 5 daysB. 10 daysC. 17 daysD. 23 daysE. 28 daysFrom SAIF data 1/1/2000 to 5/21/2004DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENTA flat-bed truck driver had just finishedloading at a customer’s facility and wastarping the load. In an effort to pull thetarps and even them up, he extendedhimself over the edge of the trailer. Hisgloved hand slipped off the tarp and hefell five feet to the ground, landing feetfirst, but breaking his leg in four places. Hehad just started with the company, but hehad more than 25 years of experience.The driver underwent four surgeries inthe hospital to fix his leg, but infection setin and his leg had to be amputated belowthe knee. He now has a very long recoveryahead.Falls are now the second leading causeof on-the-job fatalities after motor vehiclecrashes. In 2000, more than 700 workersdied in the U.S. of injuries caused by fallsfrom ladders, scaffolds, buildings, or otherelevations – an average of almost twodeaths per day.NUMBERS THAT MATTERNumber of fall-from-elevation claims received by SAIFAverage cost of a fall-from-elevation claim: $10,360HOW TO PREVENT A SIMILAR ACCIDENTNew employee training. All newemployees, regardless of past experience,should receive training. Don’t assume theywere trained how to perform their jobsafely in past employment.Personal protective equipment.When possible, eliminate hazards throughengineering. This can include guardrailsor other barricades designed to preventfalls. When engineering isn’t feasible, usepersonal protective equipment, includingproper gloves and anti-slip footwear.Securing loads. When it’s possible,secure loads from the ground or a ladder.Move the ladder as often as necessary toprevent over-reaching. Never extend yourcenter of balance beyond the edge of adeck, trailer or edge.Perform periodic observations.When it’s practical, conduct observationsof employees throughout the workday toevaluate the effectiveness of protectivemeasures.since January 1, 2000: 11,167S A I F C O R P O R A T I O Nw w w. s a i f . c o m15