| (DENVER) – June is National Safety Month and the Division of Workers Compensation (a part of the Department of Labor and Employment) is using this annual focus on safety to stress the importance of workplace safety. Governor Polis has issued a proclamation declaring June as Workplace Safety Month.
Employers, risk managers and safety professionals know that when an employee is injured on the job, the resulting medical bills and lost productivity can dig deep into the bottom line. They know that the best way to avoid the costs associated with workplace accidents is by avoiding an injury in the first place.
That is the philosophy behind the Division of Workers Compensation’s Premium Cost Containment Program. The Division uses Workplace Safety Month to urge more companies to participate in its Premium Cost Containment Program which offers technical assistance at no cost and conducts a comprehensive risk assessment of participating companies’ safety practices.
Companies with an interest in strengthening workplace safety can be certified by the Division of Workers Compensation’s Premium Cost Containment Program that guides employers in establishing safety practices to reduce work-related injuries. Companies that are granted certification in the Premium Cost Containment Program are eligible for reductions of 5 to 10% on their workers’ compensation premiums.
Throughout June, the Division of Workers Compensation will showcase some of these exemplary companies that are working to constantly identify and implement corrective actions necessary to prevent incidents Workplace stories and commendations will be posted on social media (facebook.com/ColoradoLabor and twitter.com/ColoradoLabor) and at the Division of Workers Compensation website (colorado.gov/cdle/dwc).
The employers to be profiled are a diverse group from a wide range of industries, but they share a common trait. They all strive for a safe workplace because they value their employees and want to keep them happy and healthy.
Success can’t happen within a static, rigid safety culture, says Department of Labor and Employment Executive Director Joe Barela. “Making sure that staff is complying with a list of safety regulations isn’t enough,” he says, “because most workplace accidents aren’t caused by careless workers. They are the result of an unabated hazard.”
What’s needed, he stresses, is a safety culture that evolves over time as staff continues to learn and respond to changing hazards. “Our Premium Cost Containment Program helps workers and employers build a dynamic safety culture that results in heightened employee productivity and morale, making the program well worth the effort.”
The Premium Cost Containment Program has certified 7,800 companies since 1991. Currently, a little over 4,200 Colorado businesses are active in the program. And there are currently 478,000 Colorado workers employed at companies that are certified in this program.
Companies interested in learning more about the Premium Cost Containment Program should call 303-318-8644 or visit the website at www.colorado.gov/cdle/dwc/safety-and-loss-control. In addition, the Division of Workers Compensation will be sharing stories of workplace safety during June. People are encouraged to go to @ColoradoLabor on Twitter and Facebook and use the hashtag #safeatworkCO to share videos or stories of how they are safe at work. |
