Cost containment biggest workers' comp concern

​Cost containment will be the chief workers' comp insurance concern for U.S. employers over the next 12 months, according to a survey.

Zywave, an insurance software company, found that among the 3,500 companies polled, 59% were "very or somewhat concerned" about cost containment this year.

The survey results included the following:

• Respondents said the most effective workers' comp cost control method was a safety-minded culture (65%).
• Although 59% said that a light-duty or return-to-work program was effective or highly effective in controlling costs, only 45% reported having a written return-to-work policy.
• Other popular cost-control measures were, in order of popularity, on-site accident evaluations, loss-prevention evaluations, zero-accident goals, having a dedicated claims manager, safety committee efforts, and using a preferred occupational medicine facility.
• After cost containment, 35% of employers said they were concerned about increasing exposures, the same percentage said they were worried about rates at policy renewal, and 31% said they were worried about claims fraud.
• Only 63% of the employers surveyed said they had a written safety manual, and less than half of them (48%) said that it had been reviewed in the past year.

Despite the results, there are a number of ways employers can control those costs, including establishing a solid safety program and helping injured employees return to work.

Tips for reducing your premiums

1.   Establish a safety program

Develop policies, procedures, and rules. Provide employees with the necessary training, proper tools, and protective equipment to do their job safely. If you have not established a safety committee, start one with representatives from each of your company's departments who can help create safety policies. 

2.   Enforce your rules

Safety training and practice drills are important, but don’t forget about enforcement of the policies, procedures, and rules. Enforce the rules by conducting workplace audits, and holding safety meetings, toolbox talks and annual training.

3.   Ensure prompt medical care

As part of your overall safety plan, you should pre-arrange which medical facilities employees are sent to in the event of a workplace injury. You should also be prepared to provide transportation for non-emergency cases. Call 911 or your local ambulance service in case of emergency.

You may also consider requiring that a post-accident drug test be administered to the injured worker.

4. Report injuries on time

Report any workplace injuries to your insurance carrier within 24 hours of the incident. One of the keys to good claims management is to keep open ongoing communication with the injured worker and the claims adjuster.

5. Focus on return to work

Injured workers that are away from their jobs for extended periods can grow disaffected, which often leads to longer claims duration. To keep an injured worker in the game and eager to get back to work soon, provide a return-to-work program with tasks modified to avoid strain on the injury.

6. Investigate injuries and close calls

If an accident occurs in your workplace, or if one was narrowly averted, you need to investigate the incident thoroughly to find out exactly what happened. Talk to all witnesses, bring out your safety manual and figure out if someone wasn't following protocol or whether there is an oversight in your safety plan. 

7. Recruit with care

Unfortunately, some people are serial workers' comp claims filers, and some have pasts that could be indicative of future behavior. 

You should screen your applicants carefully by using detailed employment applications, making reference checks, requiring pre-employment drug screening, asking for their motor vehicle driving history, and conducting background checks.