Controlling Your Workers’ Comp Costs

• Make safety a part of your workplace (conduct regular walk-throughs to look at workplace conditions, visit with workers for their ideas on how to make the job safer, and look out for potential hazards).
• Communicate safety to your workers (thoroughly orient workers to the workplace; train all workers on how to do their jobs safely - this includes regular workers and those considered seasonal, temporary, or leased; train managers and supervisors on recognizing and controlling hazards and monitoring safety procedures and work habits; and review safety procedures with workers at least annually).
• Contact us about safety (call us for free safety education and training and participate in one of our Safety Discount Programs).
• Develop a policy for injury reporting and review it with all workers on a regular basis. Make sure injuries are reported within your company and that a claim is filed promptly with WSI.
• Develop a policy for monitoring your company’s workers’ compensation claims and review it with all workers on a regular basis. The emphasis should be on communication and transitional work.
• Post notices for your workers that give medical care instructions.
• Develop guidelines for investigating workplace injuries. Take the necessary corrective action to prevent any type of injury from happening again.
• Review your company’s past injuries by requesting a loss run from us that lists all claims and medical costs paid on your account. This information will help you recognize those areas that may be in need of improvement to help you avoid future losses.
• Report any type of suspected fraudulent behavior to WSI (Fraud Awareness).
• Per WSI, post your Certificate of Premium Payment at your place of business. Failure to do so may result in a $250 fine.
• Post the “Important Notice to Employees” poster from WSI that outlines important workers’ compensation information for your employees.
• Maintain and submit annual payroll reports when required. The payroll report is the tool WSI uses to classify your workers and assess your premium. Yearly submission of a payroll report is required by all employers on the anniversary date of their account. We’ll send you notification of when you have to complete this task.
• Pay your premium and medical expense assessments by the due date.
• Contact our Employer Services Department if any of the following changes occur to your operation:
• General nature of operation
• The types of work being done
• Trade name
• Incorporation of business or change in corporate officer status
• Subsidiaries or new locations
• Mailing address
• You cease having workers or are closing your business
• Any of your workers will be working outside of North Dakota
• Change of ownership