The
INITIATIVE . . .
is a partnership involving dozens of business trade groups, organized
labor, and several government agencies. It was originated by the Worker's
Compensation Advisory Council because national data indicated that
Wisconsin's lost time injury rate was about 38% above the rest of the
nation. A special Study Commission
on Safety was created by the Council to develop approaches that would
assist in lowering the lost time injury rate..
The Study Commission on Safety developed a broad based safety initiative titled, " Safety Works for Wisconsin" The intent was for the initiative to rely on education and outreach -- not fines or penalties. Through education, the Commission believe that employers and workers will see that the incentives for safety are abundant: insurance savings, better productivity, and improved morale.
The
INITIATIVE'S FIRST CAMPAIGN . . .
is a
"report card" system to notify employers of their safety status
in relation to other employers in their same industrial category (SIC
code). This "report card" campaign is designed to direct
management’s attention to the company’s need for safety as well as the
direct and indirect benefits safety conscious employers enjoy. Industry
specific safety resource information is also being prepared for these
employers.
The "report card" will compare the individual company’s on-the-job accident rate to the industry average and the companies in the safest 20% of their industry. The company’s claim statistics on the (1) average length and severity of worker’s compensation claims, (2) type of injury, and (3) body part affected are compared to industry accidents overall.
All employers receive a report card. Employers with "poor" report cards initially receive an advisory letter. Subsequently, they receive outreach in the form of technical assistance, resource sharing and follow-up. Those employers with "good" report card receive letters of commendation.