(DENVER) - Governor Polis has proclaimed June Workplace Safety Month to recognize the importance of maintaining high safety standards and practices.
While June is broadly recognized as National Safety Month across the United States, Governor Polis once again proclaimed June as Workplace Safety Month in Colorado. The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DOWC) within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) uses this annual focus to spotlight its programs and resources, which help protect workers and support employers.
Meeting workers’ compensation insurance requirements is just the first step in protecting businesses and workers from injuries on the job. Prioritizing exceptional safety standards and practices in the workplace can help prevent injuries before they happen. Injury prevention is the best way to contain the financial, medical, and emotional costs businesses and their employees suffer. In 2022 alone, the National Safety Council estimated the total cost of work injuries to be $167 billion. This number doesn’t fully capture the physical and emotional toll on injured workers and their families.
Suffering an injury on the job can be one of the most stressful and challenging experiences that an individual can have. The power of prevention is the philosophy behind the DOWC’s Premium Cost Containment (PCC) Program. The program offers businesses risk assessment and free guidance for improving and maintaining safety practices. PCC certification is granted to employers who demonstrate that their safety program meets PCC standards. Certified companies are eligible for reductions of up to 10% on their workers' compensation premiums, in addition to experiencing the positive effects of a safe work environment.
All businesses with employees operating in Colorado must have workers’ compensation insurance, regardless of the number of employees, whether the employees only work part-time, or are members of the same family. Too often, workers who suffer uninsured injuries face unimaginable uncertainty, while employers face fines, risk of closure, and financial responsibility for specific benefits. Commercial insurance is the most common way to get coverage. All workers’ compensation insurance in Colorado is sold by private insurance carriers; there is no state fund. Employers should contact their insurance agent to seek quotes and get coverage.
Employers with questions about becoming certified with the cost-saving PCC Program or insurance coverage may visit the Premium Cost Containment webpage or call the Division of Workers’ Compensation at 303-318-8700.
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