WFIA RETRO | November 2021 News

November Topics

Return to Work (RTW) Tip

Match the Work Pattern

The single most powerful tool an employer has in controlling its workers’ compensation costs is immediately providing meaningful work.

NOVEMBER TIP: It is in your company’s best interest to match the work pattern (full-time vs. part-time) for modified duty. For example, if an injured worker was hired for 25 hours, match those hours with a return-to-work position.

Focus on Safety (FOS)

Ladder Safety On & Off the Job

While many of us consider bigger, heavier equipment to be the most dangerous equipment we use, it is time to recognize a more common “tool” as the number one culprit of potentially severe incidents in the workplace. Ladders top the list of functional equipment used by people, both at work and at home, yet the inherent dangers associated with ladders is regularly overlooked. Download the Osha Portable Ladder Safety Quickcard™ for a list of tips to keep workers safe when using portable ladders.

Workers’ Comp News

10%-40% Off Your Workers’ Comp Premium

with a claim-free discount from L&I

Every company with employees must buy workers’ compensation insurance, but you have control over how much you will pay. In Washington, employers purchase this insurance through the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). Much like a safe-driving discount, L&I offers a claim-free discount, between 10%-40%, for those employers who provide a safe work environment and avoid time-loss for a 3-year period.

How could paying less premium affect your bottom line and give your business an advantage?

Creating a safe workplace and avoiding time-loss can be accomplished with some helpful strategies. Your first step is building a strong and proactive safety program to reduce workplace injuries. Secondly, if an injury does occur, bring your employees back to work as quickly as possible. The best way to accomplish this is to provide a light or modified-duty job. There may be instances where your injured employee might not be able to return to work immediately. In those times, pay your worker their regular wage instead of letting L&I pay time-loss. This is also called Kept on Salary (KOS).

Once you have reduced injuries and avoided time-loss for three years, L&I will apply a claim-free discount to your account. Discounts vary and are predicated on the size of your company and the number of hours you report, with larger companies earning a greater discount.

We are here to help your company earn this discount year after year! For more information and assistance in putting together your safety program or modified-duty jobs, contact your ERNwest workers’ compensation team.

Julie Osterberg, WFIA Group Manager, (253) 881-5669 | Josterberg@ernwest.com

OSHA Recordkeeping: Clean-up Time!

Time to start cranking up on those OSHA logs. November and December are usually the months business owners clean up Worker Injury and Illness records in preparation for the recordkeeping scramble in January. Covered employers* are required to:

• Post your OSHA Form 300A Summary in an area available to employees and employee representatives, February 1 – April 30, and
• Provide your OSHA Form 300A Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses during 2020 in electronic format to Federal OSHA by March 2, 2021.
  NOTE: This exemption does not apply if the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), OSHA or DOSH notifies you to comply.

*Small employers and low-risk businesses may be exempt from these requirements if: (1) They have 10 or fewer employees at all times during the previous calendar year at all of their combined business locations. (2) The business is included on the industry exemption list in Table 1 under WAC 296-27-00105.

Helpful Webinar: OSHA Recordkeeping – Nuts & Bolts is offered twice in December and will get you up to speed on all requirements. Go to the list of ERNwest Training online to register for the webinars that work on your schedule. Go online to read more about the OSHA Recordkeeping requirements.