Workplace Safety
The best disability management program is one that eliminates job related injuries from occurring in the workplace. A new safety initiative is being undertaken to specifically identify and resolve unsafe conditions in the work environment. The Workers' Compensation Management Bureau's role in this will be to support each State agency in their efforts to provide efficient training, job site analysis', mitigation of safety hazards and in the end, prevent injuries from occurring.
Working Safe - Getting Started
The first step toward keeping yourself and your workplace injury-free is awareness of the safety and loss-prevention tools available to you.
1. Be aware of your environment and eliminate safety hazards. Participate in safety seminars and programs and learn about keeping yourself, your work environment, and your co-workers free from injury.
2. Use proper safety equipment and follow recommended safety standards and protocols. Ask for assistance with heavy lifting, don't take short cuts, hold yourself and each other accountable for safe work practices and get the right equipment for the job to avoid unnecessary injury. Our major injuries in state government include office related repetitive motion injuries, slips and falls, lifting related injuries and injuries from motor vehicle accidents. Participate in defensive driver training and always obey speed limits.
3. Take safety seriously. A moment of distraction or carelessness is all it takes to cause a lifetime of disability.
4. Take responsibility individually for keeping yourself safe and observing the safety of others.
Employees who are eligible for health insurance benefits can also take advantage of the various programs available through their benefits package. The Health Care and Benefits Division offers several programs to enhance and protect the health of State of Montana employees. Fall and Spring Fitness training, Annual Health Screenings, Why Weight and Well on the Way are some of the programs available to State of Montana workers aimed at enhancing overall health and reducing the potential for disability.
Safety Resources
Safety is an integral part of the Workers' Compensation Disability Management program for State employees. Safety newsletters, workshops, posters, incentive programs and articles are key components in communicating effectively. The Department of Administration, the Department of Labor and Industry, and the Montana State Fund are cooperating to ensure that workers have access to safety management services to reduce the overall number of workplace injuries and illnesses.
Direct questions related to Workplace Safety to Bonnie Rouse, 444-0122
