In a former job as part of the leadership team for a large commercial cleaning company in Milwaukee, controlling workplace injuries and workers’ comp costs were major challenges. An up-to-date safety manual and a comprehensive return to work program were two best practices we implemented to minimize lost productivity and workers’ comp costs. Not only were they key tools in our constant battle against workplace accidents and injuries, but they were also a great way for us to show our employees how much we cared about their physical health and well-being.

Unfortunately for us, we had to create our return to work program and safety manual from scratch. If a broker with these resources had knocked on my door, I would’ve been eager to listen. I hope you are listening now – this is your chance to prove your value and provide exceptional service.

According to the 2011 Workers’ Compensation and Safety Survey, administered early this year to our brokers’ clients through MyWave Elements and MyWave portals, 54 percent of respondents lack a return to work program and 37 percent don’t use a safety manual – a great opportunity to help them cut costs and become an invaluable resource.

Begin with their safety manual. Is it complete? Up to date? An updated safety manual coupled with consistent employee communications is one of the simplest ways to drive down clients’ workers’ comp claims by establishing a safety commitment while designating roles, responsibilities and safety procedures. Add safety meeting talks, flyers and other employee communications to strengthen safety programs and minimize workers’ comp premiums. There are hundreds of applicable Broker Briefcase templates, but you might start with these:

• Customizable, industry-specific safety manuals
• Safety First monthly series
• General Industry Safety Matters: Promoting a Safety-Minded Culture
• Safety Operating Procedures: The Key to a Successful Safety Program

Your clients may not fully appreciate the money-saving potential of return to work programs – but putting injured employees on the job faster saves on claims and lowers the experience modification factor. I suggest the following Broker Briefcase templates for a meaningful conversation with prospects and clients about the value of return to work programs. These tools also help them design and implement their own.

• Return to Work Program Sales Binder and Sell Sheet
• Promotional Brochures
• Workers’ Compensation Return to Work Projection
• Return to Work Program Guide
• Return to Work Policy
• Return to Work Roles and Responsibilities Flow Chart
• Customizable forms and letters

With minimal effort on your part, you start to build credibility with prospects and indispensability with clients. If you’re interested in seeing the full results of the Workers’ Compensation and Safety Survey (along with our other client surveys), find them on Broker Briefcase by browsing for “surveys,” or in PDF form on the survey section of your client portal.