For Immediate Release – June 24, 1997
Contact: Kevin Keane (608) 266-8110
David Blaska (608) 267-4400
GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES NEW WORKER SAFETY PROGRAM
WEST ALLIS — Gov. Tommy Thompson today announced a new statewide campaign to improve workplace safety called “Safety Works for Wisconsin.”
The goal of the campaign is to reduce lost-time workplace injuries by 14,000 and worker’s compensation premiums by $200 million during the next three years. Both goals represent a decrease of 20 percent from current levels.
“Wisconsin employers have already developed sound, industry-specific safety practices,” Gov. Thompson said. “‘Safety Works for Wisconsin’ will bring these lessons to small companies, many of which cannot afford their own safety managers.”
The state Worker’s Compensation Division has developed materials for the “Safety Works for Wisconsin” program to help employers who want to improve safety in their workplace. The following assistance will soon be available to Wisconsin employers:
Informational materials on workplace safety, which will include a resource guide as well as tips on how to analyze current practices and institute safety programs and accident prevention measures.
A step-by-step guide that outlines initiatives taken by Wisconsin businesses that have been proven to reduce injuries
A workplace safety website full of useful safety information
“If we can help the companies targeted by the program to improve their safety records, we can make our workplaces even more healthy and safe for Wisconsin workers,” Gov. Thompson said.
Improved safety gives an employer more control over insurance costs and provides such indirect cost savings as: less production downtime, keeping experienced workers on the job, fewer delays in servicing customers, and better employee morale.