On this episode of the WorkSAFE Podcast, we sit down with Tim Wilson, Safety and Risk Manager, to walk through safety recommendations from a professional. He shares how and why they are a positive step towards safety success and how business owners benefit from embracing them.
For many policyholders, the thought of a visit from a loss prevention or safety consultant feels intimidating. It’s easy to assume it’s all about finding mistakes or pointing out what’s wrong. But these visits aren’t about catching business owners off guard; they are about helping them succeed.
The role of a workers compensation safety consultant isn’t to penalize policyholders. They aim to provide customized recommendations to make workplaces safer, reduce claims, and save businesses money.
Listen to this episode of the WorkSAFE Podcast, or read the show notes below.
What do Safety and Risk Consultants do?
According to Wilson, Safety and Risk Consultants have two customers: the policyholder and the underwriter. For a policyholder, they provide services that focus on safety and managing risk. This may look like:
- Pointing out positive actions. Consultants reinforce what business owners are doing right.
- Identifying areas for improvement. Consultants additionally highlight uncontrolled hazards, or safety areas that could use improvement.
- Offering formal recommendations. If an uncontrolled hazard is important enough, then a consultant will formally share and follow up on their concerns.
When it comes to underwriters, Safety and Risk Consultants help paint a picture of how proactive a policyholder is – or isn’t – at addressing safety risk. Wilson points to the recommendation life cycle, or whether or not a workplace safety concern was addressed and might have to be made again.
“I use the term life cycle because just knowing that a recommendation was issued does not tell the whole story,” Wilson shared. “For example, if a recommendation ends up being complied with and embraced by the policyholder, then the picture painted is that of a partner in safety that’s committed to continual improvement. But if the recommendation is ignored, then that paints a very different picture. So at the end of the day, we provide both the policyholder and the underwriter with information so that they can make informed business decisions, and our recommendations are a part of that information.”
How are safety recommendations different than OSHA audits or inspections?
Compliance with safety standards and regulations is essential. However, audits and citations fall outside the realm of a consultant. They focus on what hazards are likely to cause an injury today.
“Here at MEM, we pride ourselves on being consultants and not inspectors,” Wilson specified. “We do not perform audits. We truly consult with the policyholders.” This means focusing on three key tasks: fostering safe workplaces, controlling costs, and maximizing profitability.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a different focus. “OSHA is more concerned with whether you are in compliance with the regulations,” he added. “If you’re not, then they may issue a citation, which often includes a fine and compliance is required.”
What does a risk assessment look like?
The average risk assessment begins with a conversation. A Safety and Risk Consultant wants to know about every aspect of a business: safety culture, work environment, and past and recent losses. What does work look like on an average day? How many employees are there?
Then, the consultant will watch these processes in action. “We take the time to observe all the processes from start to finish,” Wilson shared. “We’ll spend time conversing with the supervisors and the frontline employees, and really try to get a more well-rounded understanding of where the policyholder is in the development of their safety and health efforts.”
Receiving a recommendation letter
Throughout it all, the consultants reinforce positive observations and highlight any uncontrolled hazards. What needs to be fixed, and what are the available solutions? How long should implementing a solution take? Consultants will combine their recommendations with supporting materials, such as sample programs, loss analyses, or resources.
Safety recommendations aren’t a punishment
For many employers, receiving a safety recommendation can feel like a punishment. Having a safety professional point out things that aren’t quite right comes across as a criticism. But for Wilson, the key to eliminating these negative feelings is to build a meaningful relationship.
“It all starts with building a relationship with our policyholders and really taking the time to understand them, their operations, their process flows, their pressures, what restrictions they have, what financial limitations they have,” he explained. “Also spending quite a bit of time understanding their loss trending and the loss trending for their industry. All the while keeping in mind that their time, just like ours, is very valuable.”
Wilson uses tools to help policyholders understand that safety improvements truly pay off. For example, a return investment calculator shows future savings, and a tool called ModMaster breaks down how losses impact premiums. “We focus once again on those top loss causes and not bogging them down with every regulatory issue that they may have. We also want to point out the positive observations and help build on those successes.”
What if a safety recommendation isn’t enough?
If a safety recommendation isn’t enough, a Safety and Risk Consultant may recommend a service plan. A service plan addresses safety issues that may require complex or long-term solutions. Wilson highlights that this often requires a partnership with an employer that spans months or even years.
Some safety issues are remedied with a short-term investment of time, money, or effort. However, other issues need additional support and time to be addressed.
Safety recommendations: Saving lives and money
Once a safety recommendation is made, outreach doesn’t end there. Consultants continue to follow up. They want to know not only about implemented solutions but also their impact on the business. “How are the employees adapting?” Wilson asks. “Were there any unforeseen issues, either positive or negative, as a result of the solution, but ultimately to determine the final status of the recommendation?”
Wilson encourages employers to ask questions and keep an open mind. Safety solutions can have a cost, but so does ignoring hazards. And those costs take many forms: losing people, lower morale, higher premiums, OSHA citations, production downtime, and training new employees. A positive relationship with a consultant can save lives and money.
“Simply put, I just like everyone to know that our recommendations are carefully crafted to provide them with opportunities to make significant improvements in their workplace safety and in their profitability.”