Smelting Plant Saves
$126K, Sees Mod Drop 30%
Insured
The aluminum recycling/smelting plant employs 36.
Situation
The employer was witnessing an increasing number of claims each year and
had been saddled with a surcharge as a result of those claims.
Assessment
Certified WorkComp Advisors (CWCAs) began working with the employer two
years ago, just two months after its latest renewal. The CWCAs found that
the increasing claims were largely due to a lack of a defined employee-injury
plan and hiring procedures that failed to identify employees who either
were not well suited for the jobs for which they were hired or came with
histories of prior Workers’ Comp claims.
Solution
The CWCAs worked with the employer to organize a formal program that specifically
addressed the problems they were having. First, a comprehensive hiring plan
was put in place to ensure that those who were hired did not have previous
histories of injuries or other issues that may affect their ability to do
their jobs. Second, an organizational plan was implemented in order to improve
workplace safety and decrease injury frequency. Third, a return to work
plan was established and introduced to both supervisors and the rank-and-file.
The plan identified both the steps to take when an injury occurs and specific
“light duty” opportunities and let all employees know exactly
how they were to act before, during and after an injury occurred.
Result
Because the plan showed the promise of significantly decreased claim frequency,
the CWCAs were able to free the employer from the State Work Comp Fund and
move them to a standard insurance company. This move saved the plant owners
more than $57,000 in the first policy renewal and more than $69,000 in the
second renewal. In addition, over the two years since the CWCAs began working
with the employer, the number of claims has dropped significantly –
enough to warrant a 30% drop in its Experience Modification Factor. |