Build a safer workplace and reduce costs through a structured safety program.
The Safety Management Program (SMP) helps employers strengthen workplace safety, prevent injuries, and lower workers’ compensation costs. Through training, tools, and guidance, WSI supports you in building a program that works for your organization.
You gain practical resources, support from safety professionals, and a clear path to improving safety performance.
Employers must complete the SMP application at least 30 days before the policy period begins.
WSI will confirm participation and assign a safety consultant.
The safety consultant will schedule an initial safety assessment and inspection.
Based on this assessment, the consultant and employer will create an action plan to be acknowledged by upper-level management.
Employers must implement the action plan within the policy period, correcting any hazards identified.
WSI will audit the program annually for compliance by phone, email, online, or onsite. Audits must be completed by the 15th of the last month in the policy period.
Employers implementing and maintaining the SMP are eligible for a 15% premium discount for the policy period of successful participation.
Employer Contact Resource Requirements
Successful participation requires active participation and resources from employers. Employers must provide the following resources:
Safety Contact – An active, knowledgeable member of the organization with authority to influence safety practices, oversee the safety program, and serve as the primary contact for WSI safety incentive requirements.
Safety Executive – A leader who has the authority to provide direction, resources, and accountability for the organization’s safety program.
Only authorized users in the organization can submit documents and approve items in myWSI.
Leadership is the foundation of an effective safety management system. When leaders visibly demonstrate involvement in and commitment to safety, this actively creates safety and health as a core organizational value.
Develop and communicate a written safety policy signed by top leadership.
Conduct an objective review of the safety and health program.
Set measurable safety goals and objectives aligned with overall business performance.
Define clear safety roles, responsibilities, and authority for managers, supervisors, and employees.
Document enforcement of safety policies and procedures, including discipline and corrective action.
Provide adequate resources — including time, training, equipment, and staffing — to manage hazards.
Demonstrate visible involvement through jobsite walkthroughs, safety meetings, and review of safety-related incidents.
Provide meaningful ways to involve employees in safety management.
Hazard identification and control is an ongoing process. Employers should look for existing and potential hazards during routine and non-routine activities. Hazard identification and corrective actions should be prioritized based on risk.
Hazard Identification
Conduct regular workplace inspections with supervisors and employees. A minimum of four inspections per year for static environments, and more frequently in changing work environments.
Review injury and illness records, near-miss reports, employee surveys, loss run reports, and employee concerns for patterns.
Analyze hazards related to new equipment, materials, or processes before implementation.
Consider non-routine tasks such as maintenance, cleaning, malfunctions, and startup/shutdown activities.
Plan for emergency situations and identify related hazards in advance.
Hazard Assessment and Risk Prioritization
After hazards are identified, assess the level of risk to determine which issues require immediate attention. Risk prioritization helps focus resources where they will have the greatest impact.
Evaluate the potential severity of injury or illness and control the hazard.
Estimate the likelihood of the hazard causing an incident.
Consider how many workers are exposed and how often exposure occurs.
Use a simple risk ranking system (e.g., low, medium, high) to prioritize actions.
Address high-risk hazards promptly while planning controls for lower-risk issues.
Hazard Prevention and Control
Once hazards are prioritized, implement controls using a structured approach that favors long-term solutions over temporary fixes.
Eliminate hazards whenever feasible through design changes or removal of exposure.
Use engineering controls such as machine guarding, ventilation, or physical barriers.
Implement administrative controls including safe work procedures, job rotation, and scheduling changes.
Provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as a final layer of protection.
Ensure interim controls are used when permanent solutions cannot be implemented immediately.
Corrective and Preventive Action Management
A system is needed to ensure hazards are corrected and similar issues are prevented in the future.
Document identified hazards and implement control measures.
Assign responsibility and completion dates for corrective actions.
Track progress and verify that controls are implemented as planned.
Evaluate the effectiveness of corrective actions after implementation.
Apply lessons learned to other areas of the organization to prevent recurrence.
All incidents are reviewed to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent an incident from reoccurring.
The Incident Review Program includes:
Incident reports, including an initial report of an incidents or near misses
Evaluation of all WSI claims filed, at a minimum. The review process must be documented and include analysis identifying corrective action(s). Corrective actions must be implemented with identified closure dates
A documented process to monitor corrective actions for effectiveness and timely implementation
Documents available for WSI review:
The incident review program
Incident and near miss reports
Root cause analyses of all filed claims
Corrective actions identified and implemented
Safety and health practice is continually evolving, and those responsible should stay informed of the newest information through a system of continuing education.
Those with safety management responsibilities will attend ongoing education to improve knowledge and networking based on the significance of hazards in the workplace. Local safety association attendance meets this requirement and is encouraged by WSI. Education may be completed in person or online. Attendance verification must be available for WSI.
The employer will receive a 15% premium discount for implementing and/or maintaining the SMP. The 15% discount will be applied to the premium after any experience rating adjustments for the year of participation. Discounts awarded under this program will not be allowed to reduce the premium below the statutory minimum amount.
Participation in the SMP is at the discretion of WSI.
Accounts not eligible to participate include:
Employer accounts that are delinquent, uninsured, or not in good standing
Employers participating in the large deductible program
Volunteer accounts