b'Four MRCA Members Share Thoughts on Reducing Workers Comp Costs (Editor\'s note: This is Part Three in a series ofMike Pettigrew ofIt is also very important to have a visible Pettigrew & Sons, Inc., articles on workers compensation and itsFort Wayne, Indiana, said that they have aandto effective management commitment effect on the MRCA membership.If yousafety director in charge ofoffer strong support. implementing would like to comment on this issue, or talkthe safety program. "Onceemployee is an about the training programs your companyhired, they go through a safety programSteve Haselton of has instituted as a solution, please call theUnion Roofing Company, MRCA office at 913/599-6600.)withvideos,pamphlets,andadditionalInc., Chenoa, Illinois, feels that the key to materials. The program we have is ongoing,keeping workers comp costs down lies in By Dana Franklin, MRCA Internand the employees are continually beingthe"appearanceofamanagement Asoftrained in safety procedures."Meetingscommitment."Managementneedsto the roofing business is onehigh risk,are held frequently tojobdemonstrate their commitment to safety soinsurance premiums roofers arediscuss potential are the instead of"talking" about requiredtopay.just Approximately5-9%ofait.This includes visiting job sites to roofer\'s volume is spent onmake sure they are set upaccordingtoOSHA insurance.Toreduce\'s regulations. Providing first insurancecostsmeansyouaid must reduce the number ofisanotherwaytoshow claims.management cares about safety . Almostof halfthe work force Workerscomphasbeenat Union Roofing is certified in around for years, and it hasfirst aid and CPR." This helps always been a requirement forensure safety if an emergency roofers.However, it is justshould arise. nowbeginningtodraw Part of attentionbecauseofthemany safety programs astronomicalcost.Fourincludemakingaconscious MRCA members spoke to useffort to eliminate the injuryregardingwhattheirprone employee. Workers that companies are doingtoareaccident-pronearetoo control workers compensation costs.expensive to keep. Althoughtheirprograms differ, they all agree a safetyAnotherkeytoaneffective program is essential to anyprogramistoestablishand contractor who wants a futuremaintain a good relationship in the roofing industry. Eachwith your insurance carrier and individualcontractoristhe people who are assigned to responsibleforhisownyour workers comp case.Make program. AccordingMarcus Mansonsureyoudevelopanactive toofhazards anddangerous situations.Onedialogue withcarrier. Getto Western Roofing Company, Kansas City,yourknow the Missouri,theeffectivenessof asafetybuilding owner requires the crew that willfacts up-front, and do not be passive when program lies in "how sincereaboutbe working on his building to go throughit comes to dealing with insurance claims. you arehis safety program. "The safety director workers\' safety."Any company can haveand foremen do spot inspections to ensurePreventing an accident is far cheaper than a safety program, but itthe istime you takethat the jobsitea safe ascanAlso,treating an accident.When the accident to make sure it is carried through in theis s- itbe. the insurance company does safety spothappens, you\'ve gotactively take a role most effective way that counts.to checkstwiceayearandmakesin controlling the costs. Ifemployee gets hurt on theMansonrecommendations for making the jobsite anjob,safer."By establishing safety programs you will feels it is important to get him back on thebe minimizing the chances of accidents, job as soon as possible.Ifemployee anand in cannot work on the roof due to an injury,BobHuntingtonofAAARoofingturn, saving your business money. tryfind other things employeesdoCompany, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana, uses tocanto keep the hours and wages up to what theytelevision videos, reading materials, andThe MRCA staff would like to thank summer are used to.Ofthethen testing.He requires employees toIntern, Dana Franklin, for her continuous courseemployee could stay at home and collect workers comp, butwear gogglesand long sleeve shirts toservice.Dana contributed to the research and reporting ofof eventually the company ends up paying foravoid eye and burn injuries.Huntingtonseveralour publications that, too. When a worker becomes injured,feels that "there should be written safetyand marketing pieces.Good luck in the it\'sthemanuals by the company, enforced andfuture,Dana! better foremployee, employer, and the insurance company to have the employeedisciplined. First, make sure employees doing light-duty work rather than stay atknow the rules.Then if someone is in home collecting workers comp.violation, it\'s important to discipline them." Page5'