Return to Work (RTW)
The single most powerful tool an employer has in controlling its workers’ compensation costs is immediately providing meaningful work.
APRIL TIP: Yes, you can have your injured worker return to a different position that fits within the physical capacities approved by the attending provider as long as this return-to-work position adds value (is meaningful) to your company.
Focus on Safety (FOS) –
Nail Gun Safety
GRIP members, we have seen a trend of nail gun injuries over the last few months involving new employees who bring tools from home into the workplace. On two separate occasions, new employees were using nail guns from home without safety devices, and in one instance was using the wrong gun for the job. Now is a good time to inspect company nail guns and conduct awareness training for your crews. Below are some good resources to share:
Downloadable PDF: OSHA Nail Gun Safety Guide for Construction
Video: Nail Gun: A Framer’s Perspective
ERNwest FOS Webinar Series – March Training
Each month ERNwest offers topical discussions about safety strategies unique to your industry. Download the 2021 Calendar of FOS Webinars as part of our available training and refer back to ERNwest.com/training for updates and additions.
April 13, 2021 at 10am | Expect the Unexpected: DOSH Compliance & Inspections
April 15, 2021 at 10am | Solving Your Slip and Trip Problem in 5 Easy Steps
April 20, 2021 at 11:15am | Beyond Zero Injuries with Global Keynote Speaker Bill Sims
Are “zero injuries” the right safety goal, or is there one better to drive continuous improvement? Featured speaker Bill Sims will teach us what lies Beyond Zero and how this is the goal your culture must strive to achieve to survive and thrive in today’s business landscape.
Bill Sims is a global keynote speaker and author of the book, Green Beans & Ice Cream: The Remarkable Power of Positive Reinforcement. For more than 40 years, the Bill Sims Company has created behavior-based recognition programs that help large and small firms inspire better performance from employees and increase bottom line profits. More than 1,000 firms have benefited from consulting with Bill, including Dupont, Disney, Siemens VDO, Coca-Cola, and Ford.
Workers’ Comp is a Part of Doing Business
To preserve the integrity of your experience modification rating (EMR) and future workers’ comp premiums, you need to manage your workers’ comp claims like a business decision or investment.
We have all had one of those employees that either quits or is terminated from employment, then later files a claim with L&I for an alleged injury that occurred before their last day or on their last day of work. Unfortunately, these are allowable claims. You may find yourself wondering how to protect your business from these types of claims.
The simple answer is to offer Return to Work (RTW), regardless of the circumstances surrounding the employee’s current employment or how you feel about the employee as a person. If you refuse to accommodate modified duty, the only person that you are hurting is your business.
The employee will continue to receive time-loss benefits at your expense, causing you to pay more premium to L&I and possibly causing you to lose future business contracts because of a high EMR.
You need to protect your business from employees that try to take advantage of the system and your company by ALWAYS accommodating return-to-work. Don’t make emotional decisions. Make business decisions.
Questions? GRIP Group Manager: Ashlee Day | 253-237-0809 | ADay@ernwest.com
Helpful Safety Information
April is Distracted Driving Month
In a typical day, more than 700 people are injured in distracted driving crashes. Talking on a cell phone, texting or programming an in-vehicle infotainment system diverts your attention away from driving. Take the pledge to drive distraction free by completing the pledge form.
Upcoming Training
GRIP Webinar Training
These GRIP-specific trainings benefit new members or serve as a great refresher for established GRIP participants. Click on the dates below for more information about the training and to register.
April 1, 2021 at 10:30am | Getting your GRIP on Claims, Comp & Safety
April 13, 2021 at 10:00am | Expect the Unexpected: DOSH Compliance and Inspections
ERNwest Webinar Training
ERNwest presents topics such as Understanding Industrial Insurance Rates, What is Retro? and Using Kept on Salary and Modified Duty Effectively on a monthly basis. Select a topic for more information and to register.
April 1, 2021 at 2pm | What is Retro?
April 6, 2021 at 10am | Understanding Industrial Insurance
April 20, 2021 at 10am | Fundamentals of Claims Management
April 27, 2021 at 10am | Using Kept on Salary and Modified Duty Effectively
Find more training online at ernwest.com/training.
Latest COVID-19 Updates
Additional RETRO Resources
GRIP Safety Resources
Access Toolbox Tips and general safety resources. Learn more.
Report All Incidents
Remember to report all incidents on the ERNwest website so that your claims manager is aware and can help guide you through the process. | ERNwest.com/report-an-incident
Contact
For precautionary reasons related to COVID-19, MBAKS offices are closed until King County enters Phase 3. Staff is working remotely and can be reached via phone or email. Events and class cancellations are noted on the MBAKS Events Calendar. Refer to the MBAKS COVID-19/Updates for up-to-date information.
GRIP Retro Questions?
Ashlee Day, GRIP Group Manager, (253) 237-0809 | ADay@ernwest.com
GRIP Safety Questions?
Michael Octave, GRIP Safety Manager, (253) 237-0812 | MOctave@ernwest.com
Ann Kershul, GRIP Safety Manager, (253) 237-0819 | AKershul@ernwest.com
GRIP Stay-At-Work Questions?
Tom Nelson, GRIP Stay-At-Work Coordinator, (253) 372-2357 | TNelson@ERNwest.com
