Pennsylvania Businesses with Workplace Safety Plans Save $300M

September 12, 2008

Pennsylvania businesses have saved more than $300 million thanks to a program that allows workplaces to save five percent annually on workers’ compensation insurance premiums, according to the state.

Businesses qualify for the savings if they have a state-certified safety committee in operation. More than 7,800 workplaces have those panels in place, covering more than one million employees.

“Our workers are the most valuable asset in any workplace,” Governor Edward G. Rendell said. “Ensuring the safety of workers, so they can return home to their loved ones at the end of the day, is the greatest responsibility of every employer.”

Labor & Industry Deputy Secretary Liz Crum said that since 1994, state-certified workplace safety committees have protected more than one million Pennsylvanians at more than 7,800 businesses.

The Rendell administration celebrated reaching the milestone at Channellock Tools in Meadville. The state received Channellock’s application for a state-certified workplace safety committee in 1994, making it the longest-running certified safety committee in Pennsylvania. Channellock’s committee covers 440 employees and, to date, has saved nearly $280,000 in workers’ compensation premiums.

Source: Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
www.governor.state.pa.us