BCAM Safety Services Department was created in August of 2000 to offer its members a resource for developing their company's safety program and aiding them in managing their claims. Serving the north Mississippi territory as the Director of Safety is Ray Wright and serving the south is J.W. Watkins.
Since safety is an intricate part of the construction process, whether it is a large commercial project or a small residential house, it is an area taken seriously within BCAM's program, and both safety directors stand ready to assist any member. Ray and J.W. welcome any opportunity to be of assistance to your company and can be reached at 601-352-9079 or toll free at 888-739-BCAM or email to rwright@bcamsif.org or jwatkins@bcamsif.org.
What is Workers' Compensation Insurance?
Workers' compensation laws provide money and medical benefits to an employee who has an injury as a result of an accident, injury or occupational disease on-the-job. Workers' compensation is designed to protect workers and their dependents against the hardships from injury or death arising out of the work environment. It is intended to benefit the employee and employer alike. The employee receives money (usually on a weekly or bi-weekly basis) and medical benefits in exchange for forfeiting the common law right to sue the employer. The employer benefits by receiving immunity from court actions against them by the employee in exchange for accepting liability that is limited and determined. The question of negligence or fault is usually not an issue.
Failure to Obtain Workers' Compensation Coverage
If an employer fails to obtain required coverage and an accident occurs, the injured employee either files a lawsuit against the employer in civil court or files a claim against the state workers' compensation system. Monetary exposure to a suit in civil court can be extremely significant to the employer. Stop-work orders and fines can be levied in addition to injunction and assessments against the employer. Employers who try and circumvent the law by going "naked" may also expose their personal assets and other business assets as well.
Fraud and Other Abuse
Although fraud and other abuse will always occur within any type of workers' compensation system, it is important that the employer be aware of fraud and other abuses and how to handle any problems when they arise. Since an employer may have to pay higher premiums because of fraudulent activities, the importance of understanding fraud and other abuse cannot be over-emphasized.
Persons who have knowledge of workers' compensation fraud should report it immediately to the nearest district office.
It should also be understood that fraud could occur with the employers, medical providers, attorneys, carriers, judges or anyone involved with the workers' compensation system. Fraud offices are located throughout the state and should be contacted immediately if one suspects fraud.
Listed below is a 50 page Word document that lists 40 different topics for safety meetings with your employees.
Topics include:
Hard Hat Or Hard Head, Dress for the Part, Lifing the Easy Way, Portable Electric Tools, Misues of Gasoline, Ladders, Wall & Floor Openings, Makeshift Scaffolds, Asking for Trouble, How can I help reduce injuries, Be Alert, You can Prevent Accidents, Trenching, What difference does it make, Protect the Children, Horseplay, First Aid Infection, The Don't of First Aid, Watch Your Step on Stepladders, Rolling Scaffolds, Watch the Wires, Hand Tools, Acetylene Torches, Fire Extinguishers, Extension Cords, Manual Handling, Hurt Back, Your Eyes - Protection vs. Injury, The Machine You Cannot Buy, Compressed Gas Cylinders, Team Up and Clean Up, Portable Electric Tools, Eye Protection: An Eye for an Eye, Driving and Pulling Nails, Near Miss, Guardrails, Heat Exhaustion, Protecting Workers in Hot Environments, Heat Affects Productivity, Sunstroke, and Jobsite Emergency/Direction Check Sheet.
(This section is provided as a reference tool only. This information may change periodically and is not guaranteed. Please send notification of any changes to swarner@bcamsif.org)
