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  | Winter 2009

Want to Control Workers’ Comp Costs and Improve Productivity?

By David Wylie, Editor

Employers who focus on safety can see a 600 percent return on their investment in terms of lower workers’ compensation costs and increased productivity, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. They can also earn potential dividends from Texas Mutual Insurance Company.

This fall, Texas Mutual recognized 164 policyholders for their exemplary safety programs. Some of them shared their tips for preventing workplace accidents.

Personal Protective euqipment is an important part of the Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation safety program. This reflective vest ensures the employee's visibility and provides pockets for job-related tools, keeping the employee's hands free.

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Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation
This cotton producer-run, nonprofit foundation is dedicated to safely ridding Texas cotton fields of their arch enemy: an insect known as the boll weevil.

Lindy Patton, president and CEO
“Several years ago, we felt like our premiums were too high, and we needed to do something to reduce claims. So we formed a safety committee, and they worked with our Texas Mutual safety consultant to design a program. We asked our field employees to participate, and they embraced the program.

Like everything else, safety at the foundation is very much a team effort. We encourage employees to watch out for each other on the job. If they see a co-worker practicing an unsafe behavior, they assist and advise that person.

We also ensure that new employees shadow experienced workers before they go out on their own, so they can see our safety procedures in action.

We have experienced several payoffs. Our people are safer, our premiums are under control and we are earning dividends from Texas Mutual.”

Haney Trucking
Transportation incidents are the leading causes of workplace fatalities in Texas. Here’s how Haney Trucking ensures its drivers get from Point A to Point B, and all points between, safely.

Rocky Haney, general manager/safety director
“Before we hire someone, we check their driving record, give them a road test and screen them for drugs. At least once per year, we check everyone’s driving record again to make sure they aren’t developing bad habits that could carry over into their work.

If someone does injure themself on the job, we send them for a drug test. We also randomly screen employees for drugs.* Nobody is exempt. In fact, our president and I have been selected for testing.”

SPS Employer Risk Management Inc.
Habla Español? Eighty percent of SPS’ clients do, so the company’s safety program has to cross language barriers.

Manny Soto, director of risk management
“We provide all of our training and materials in Spanish. We get DVDs, videos and pamphlets from the safety resource center at www.texasmutual.com. But the materials are just one piece of our program; it doesn’t work without engagement and trust.

We make sure Spanish speakers are involved in the safety program. During safety meetings, I often ask them to present material to their co-workers. I’ll challenge them to do even better in the next safety meeting, which keeps them engaged in the program.

Sometimes, employees who don’t speak English are afraid to speak up. We stress to management that Spanish speakers need to trust they won’t be reprimanded for reporting safety hazards or admitting they don’t understand safety instructions.

Besides earning this safety award from Texas Mutual, SPS was the first staff leasing company accepted as a Voluntary Protection Program Star Site by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (www.osha.gov/dcsp/vpp/index.html).”

Moore Brothers Construction
Moore Brothers Construction lays the asphalt that covers Texas’ roads. The company built its safety program on the principle that mistakes are valuable learning opportunities.

Clint Teutsch, vice president
“I personally head-up our accident investigations. We find out who was involved, what equipment was involved and exactly what happened. After we’ve dug deep enough, we often find that silence contributed to the accident.

For example, an exhaust pipe on one of our machines was loose for weeks. Finally, it fell and landed on someone. Numerous employees reported that they noticed the loose pipe, but they didn’t say anything. That’s cardinal sin number one in my book.”

Kel-Tex Electric Inc.
A training matrix has generated eye-catching results for the Kel-Tex Electric Inc. safety program. The company’s employees have logged 500,000 hours without a recordable incident.

Brandon West, superintendent
“George Hanna, our safety coordinator, maintains our safety training matrix. With just a few mouse clicks, he can tell you which tasks each of our employees has been trained to do safely. The matrix also shows when the training expires.

Regularly scheduled refresher training is critical to our safety program. The matrix sends automatic reminders when it’s time to retrain someone to do a task.

Employees take this information into the field in the form of a wallet card. If there’s ever a question as to whether an employee is authorized to do something, they can quickly pull out their training card.

The training matrix requires data entry up front, but it has paid off in dividends from Texas Mutual and fewer lost-time accidents.”

*Consult an attorney before you launch a drug-testing program to ensure you comply with all laws.

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