Pennsylvania Workplace Safety Committee Program Saves Employers more than $4.6 Million during May

News provided by

Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry

Jun 11, 2015, 11:33 ET

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 11, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Workplace Safety Committee Certification program certified 42 initial applications and re-certified 598 workplace safety committee applications saving employers more than $4.6 million in workers compensation costs during the month of May.

The PA Workplace Safety Committee Certification Program helps employers reduce their workers' compensation premiums by 5 percent each year. To receive this premium reduction, employers must establish a safety committee that meets certain requirements, fill out a committee certification application, and have it approved by the Department of Labor and Industry. Since the program's inception in 1994 employers have realized a total savings of more than $574 million.

Basic committee requirements include:

A minimum of two employer and two employee representatives, monthly meetings, and the committee be in operation for at least 6 full months before submittal of initial application;
Members be trained by qualified trainers in safety committee operations, hazard inspections, and accident investigations, before submittal of initial application and annually thereafter;
Written committee meeting agendas, attendance lists, and meeting minutes must be documented and kept for submittal with your initial application; and
Initial applications must be received between 30-90 days prior to workers' compensation insurance policy renewal date and re-certification applications must be received between 90-15 days prior to workers' compensation insurance policy renewal date.

"The Workplace Safety Committee Program continues to be a tremendous resource for lowering the rate of workplace accidents, increasing workplace safety education, and generating millions in savings for Pennsylvania businesses," said Labor & Industry Secretary Kathy Manderino. "For these reasons, we encourage all employers to form safety committees and take part in this outstanding program."

For more information or to register your business, visit the Workplace Safety Committee Program website at or call the Health & Safety Division at (717) 772-1635.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sara Goulet, PA Department of Labor & Industry, 717-787-7530

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry