Return to Work (RTW)
The single most powerful tool an employer has in controlling its workers’ compensation costs is immediately providing meaningful work.
MARCH TIP: To keep your rates as low as possible, offer a reasonably continuous modified-duty position (work that you believe to be available for the foreseeable future) that fits within the restrictions provided by the medical provider and matches the workers’ pay and work pattern before being injured.
Focus on Safety (FOS) –
Slips, Trips, and Falls
Many workers are injured each year as a result of falls on walking, working surfaces. Whether a slip, trip or fall, incidents of this nature can account for a large percentage of time-loss and lead to expensive claims for an employer and painful injuries for employees. Here are some useful tips for preventing slips, trips and falls in the workplace:
- Take your time and pay attention to where you are going.
- Adjust your pace to suit the walking surface (e.g., wet, rough, icy, sloped, or cluttered)
- Make wide turns at corners.
- Use a flashlight if you enter a dark room where there is no light.
- When carrying a load, be sure there is clear visibility over or around the load.
- Close cabinet doors and drawers.
- Hold a handrail when going up or down stairs.
- A standard, fixed railing should surround openings in floors.
- Walk when using stairways – don’t run.
- Open, exposed stairways should have a railing – be sure to use it.
- Closed stairways should have at least one handrail.
- Keep stairways uncluttered.
- Use handholds, handrails and steps provided.
ERNwest FOS Webinar Series – March Training
March 9, 2021 at 10am | Mentoring for Safety – Coaching vs Discipline
March 16, 2021 at 10am | Reduce Lift Injuries and Stop Doing What Doesn’t Work!
March 18, 2021 at 10am | Mentoring for Safety – Coaching vs Discipline
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.
How WHCA Group Retro Affects
Your Bottom Line
L&I workers’ compensation rates have declined steadily over the past several years, saving our industry millions of dollars in paid premiums. Get the details.
L&I Will Calculate Your 2022 Rates Soon!
Every year on June 1, the WA Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) takes a snapshot of your workers’ compensation claim expenses to establish your company-specific rate for the next year. This year, on June 1, L&I will be looking at your company’s claims and hours reported during the period of July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2020 to establish your 2022 experience modification factor (EMF) and workers’ compensation rates.
The good news is that it’s not too late to lower your rates for 2022 and beyond. The two most important things you can do are:
- Make sure you return any injured employees back to physically appropriate work as soon as possible. Time-loss benefits add avoidable expenses to your claims and will keep them from closing. Not sure if you have work available? Contact ERNwest for help.
- Close as many claims as possible. Claims that are open when L&I is calculating your rates include estimated future expenses as additional costs. Closed claims do not.
Now is a great time to think outside the box and make a push to reduce your overall claim costs. Remember, your ERNwest claims team is here to help. Please work with your Claim Manager for strategies to return injured employees to work, reduce costs, close claims, and start reducing your L&I rates
Questions? WHCA Group Manager: Stephanie Scheurich | 253-237-0837 | SScheurich@ernwest.com
Helpful Safety Information
Ladder Safety Month
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. Mobile 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. Visit the OSHA website for a list of tips to keep workers safe when using portable ladders.
Beyond Zero Injuries – presented by Bill Sims
Are zero injuries the right safety goal, or is there a better one that will drive continuous improvement? Join us for an upcoming webinar hosted by Employer Resources Northwest, with featured speaker Bill Sims, who will teach us what lies Beyond Zero and how striving for this goal will not only help us survive but also thrive in today’s business landscape.
Get more information and register for the free session.
OSHA 300 Recordkeeping Reminder
This is a reminder that health care communities with more than 10 employees in a calendar year are required to keep and maintain 5 years of OSHA 300 logs and post OSHA 300 summary reports each February – April of injuries and illnesses recorded in the previous year. In addition, certain employers are required to submit logs to the Injury Tracking Application (ITA) system by March 2. Find out if you are required to submit your logs electronically.
Questions? Safety Manager: Darrell Beaman | 253-237-0831 | dbeman@ernwest.com
Upcoming 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.
March 2, 2021 at 10am | Understanding Industrial Insurance
March 4, 2021 at 2pm | What is Retro?
March 16, 2021 at 10am | Fundamentals of Claims Management
Find more training online at ernwest.com/training.
Latest COVID-19 Updates
Additional Retro Resources
WHCA Safety Resources
Access WHCA and general safety resources. Learn more.
WHCA Pays You Back!
The association, through the Retro program, will reimburse up to $2,500 per year when you buy equipment needed to keep your staff working safely. Access the Safety Rebate Form for a complete list of covered items and for instructions to get started. Download the 2020-2021 WHCA Safety Rebate Form.
Administrator / Executive Director Training
Whether you are new to the Washington Health Care Association (WHCA), new to Retro, new to your position or just have questions, you’ll find helpful information about the benefits and requirements of WHCA Retro membership and how ERNwest can help you succeed with Washington Workers’ Compensation. | Welcome to WHCA Retro
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
Contacts
WHCA Retro Questions?
Stephanie Scheurich, WHCA Group Manager (253) 237-0837 | SScheurich@ernwest.com
WHCA Safety Questions?
ERNwest Safety Department Safety@ernwest.com
Darrell Beaman (253) 237-0831 | DBeaman@ernwest.com
