Businesses can significantly reduce the cost of their workers’ compensation premiums by following a program of accident prevention, better claims management and prevention of fraud and abuse.

Here are six guidelines to assist you:
1. Establish an accident-prevention program.  Use the loss control services provided by your insurance carrier and/or agent to help establish a program on site.

2. Investigate all accidents.  You can’t design an accident-prevention program unless you know what causes the accidents.  Keep records of all accidents, not just the one resulting in claims.

3. Report accidents promptly.  The sooner you file an accident report, the sooner your employee will be evaluated, treated and cleared to return to work.  Delays lead employees to contact lawyers.

4. Stay in touch with injured employees and their doctors.  Follow the progress of each employee’s recovery.  That will help you design an appropriate return-to-work plan.  Follow the claim’s progress to spot errors or fraud.

5. Use return-to-work/light-duty programs.  If an employee is injured too severely to return to regular work, have a transitional or light-duty alternative available.

6. Know your insurance system.  Find out if you are in the lowest classification for your type of business.  The classification should be based on your principal line of business, not on a particularly hazardous job.