IL Employers could save 15-35% on workers’ compensation costs…here’s how
34 states in these United States have implemented an “injury and illness prevention program.”
Guess who hasn’t? ILLINOIS.
Why? Ask your legislators, because there is absolutely no good reason not to have an injury and illness prevention program other than sheer laziness of our legislators or fear that businesses may cry about it.
Illness and Injury Prevention Programs have already been standardized so ILLINOIS need not re-invent the wheel, they only need to implement a program to start saving people’s lives and reducing the cost of doing business here.
In a January 2012 white paper issued by OSHA, the following was reported in regard to the effectiveness of an injury and illness prevention program:
- “…since the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) was signed into law, workplace deaths and reported occupational injuries have dropped by more than 60 percent,” and
- ”OSHA estimates that implementation of injury and illness prevention programs will reduce injuries by 15 percent to 35 percent for employers who do not now have safety and health programs. At the 15 percent program effectiveness level, this saves $9 billion per year in workers’ compensation costs; at the 35 percent effectiveness level the savings are $23 billion per year.”
- …”this tool helps employers find hazards and fix them before injuries, illnesses or deaths occur. It helps employers meet their obligation under the OSH Act to “furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.” It also helps employers avoid the significant costs associated with injuries and illnesses in the workplace.”
- Three “basic elements – management leadership, worker participation, hazard identification and assessment, hazard prevention and control, education and training, and program evaluation and improvement – are common to almost all existing health and safety management programs. Each element is important in ensuring the success of the overall program, and the elements are interrelated and interdependent.”
- “…research demonstrates that such programs are effective in transforming workplace culture; leading to reductions in injuries, illnesses and fatalities; lowering workers’ compensation and other costs; improving morale and communication; enhancing image and reputation; and improving processes, products and services.”
- “Worker participation, a fundamental element of injury and illness prevention programs, makes an important contribution to an employer’s bottom line. When workers are encouraged to offer their ideas and they see their contributions being taken seriously, they tend to be more satisfied and more productive (Huang et al., 2006). Engaging employees in dialogue with management and each other about safety and health can lead to improved relationships and better overall communication, along with reduced injury rates. Improved employee morale and satisfaction translates to greater loyalty, lower absenteeism and higher productivity.”
- “Injury and illness prevention programs lend themselves to such low-cost approaches because they are highly flexible – the core elements can be implemented at a basic level suitable for the smallest business, as well as at a more advanced, structured level that may be needed in a larger, more complex organization.”
So, call your legislator today and ask him or her why this has not been done and ask them to show their commitment to the people of Illinois and the companies that do business here by requiring a illness and injury prevention program.
Leave a Comment
If you would like to make a comment, please fill out the form below.