Safety Resources & Expert Guidance

Helpful Information to Keep Your Workplace Safe and Compliant

Frequently Asked Questions

Expert answers to common safety and compliance questions

OSHA Compliance

What is OSHA and why is compliance important?

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is a federal agency that sets and enforces workplace safety standards. Compliance is important because it protects your workers from injuries, helps you avoid costly citations and fines, reduces insurance costs, and demonstrates your commitment to employee safety. Non-compliance can result in penalties ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, plus potential legal liability.

What are the most common OSHA violations?

The most common OSHA violations include: fall protection failures, hazard communication deficiencies, respiratory protection issues, scaffolding problems, lockout/tagout violations, ladder safety issues, powered industrial vehicles (forklifts), fall protection training gaps, eye and face protection deficiencies, and machine guarding problems. Many of these violations are preventable with proper training and safety programs.

How often should we conduct safety inspections?

The frequency depends on your industry and specific hazards. Generally, we recommend: daily pre-shift inspections for equipment and immediate work areas, weekly comprehensive workplace inspections, monthly detailed safety audits, and quarterly formal safety program reviews. High-hazard industries or activities may require more frequent inspections. We can help you develop an inspection schedule tailored to your operations.

What is a DART rate and why does it mater?

Yes, OSHA requires written safety programs for most industries. These typically include: a general safety and health program, hazard communication program, emergency action plan, fire prevention plan, and specific programs for hazards in your workplace (fall protection, confined space, lockout/tagout, etc.). A well-documented safety program demonstrates your commitment to compliance and provides clear guidance for employees.

Workers' Compensation

What is an Experience Modifier (E-Mod)?

An Experience Modifier (E-Mod) is a number used by insurance companies to gauge your company's safety performance and determine workers' compensation premiums. An E-Mod of 1.0 is average. Below 1.0 means you're safer than average and get lower premiums. Above 1.0 means higher risk and higher premiums. Even a small reduction in your E-Mod can save thousands of dollars annually. We help companies reduce their E-Mod through effective safety programs and claims management.

How can we reduce our workers' compensation costs?

These are two different reporting systems. OSHA recordable injuries must be logged on your OSHA 300 form if they result in death, days away from work, restricted work, job transfer, medical treatment beyond first aid, or loss of consciousness. Workers' comp reportable injuries are those for which you file an insurance claim. Not all OSHA recordables are workers' comp claims, and vice versa. Proper classification is crucial for compliance and cost management.

What's the difference between OSHA recordable and workers' comp reportable?

These are two different reporting systems. OSHA recordable injuries must be logged on your OSHA 300 form if they result in death, days away from work, restricted work, job transfer, medical treatment beyond first aid, or loss of consciousness. Workers' comp reportable injuries are those for which you file an insurance claim. Not all OSHA recordables are workers' comp claims, and vice versa. Proper classification is crucial for compliance and cost management.

How does a Return to Work program help?

A Return to Work (RTW) program gets injured employees back to work quickly in modified or light-duty roles. Benefits include: reduced claim costs (claims are less expensive when employees return to work), lower E-Mod ratings, maintained employee morale and skills, reduced need for replacement workers, and faster full recovery. Studies show employees who return to work quickly are more likely to fully recover and less likely to file litigation.

What is loss run analysis?

Loss run analysis is a detailed review of your claims history to identify patterns, trends, and opportunities for improvement. We analyze: types of injuries occurring most frequently, departments or locations with highest claim rates, times of day or week when injuries occur, root causes of incidents, and cost drivers. This data-driven approach helps you target safety improvements where they'll have the biggest impact on reducing costs.

Safety Training

Who needs OSHA 10 vs OSHA 30 training?

OSHA 10-hour training is designed for entry-level workers and covers basic safety and health hazards. OSHA 30-hour training is more comprehensive and intended for supervisors, foremen, and workers with safety responsibilities. Many states and contractors require OSHA 10 for all workers and OSHA 30 for supervisory personnel. We offer both programs customized to your industry (construction or general industry).

How often should safety training be conducted?

Training frequency depends on the specific topic and regulations. General guidelines: new employee orientation (before starting work), annual refresher training for most topics, retraining when new hazards are introduced, training after incidents or near-misses, and retraining when deficiencies are observed. Some specific trainings like forklift certification require retraining every 3 years or when unsafe behavior is observed.

Can training be done on-site?

Yes, we specialize in on-site training that's customized to your specific operations and equipment. On-site training offers several advantages: convenience for your employees, training on your actual equipment and procedures, minimal disruption to operations, ability to train larger groups, and immediate application of skills. We work around your schedule to minimize impact on productivity.

What is a competent person?

OSHA defines a competent person as someone who can identify existing and predictable hazards and has the authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them. Competent persons are required for many activities including scaffolding, excavations, fall protection, and confined spaces. We provide competent person training and certification for various OSHA requirements.

How do we document safety training?

Insurance & Risk

How does safety affect insurance rates?

Safety performance directly impacts insurance costs through several mechanisms: your Experience Modifier (E-Mod) for workers' compensation, claims history for all insurance lines, OSHA citation history, safety program quality, and risk control measures in place. Insurers may offer discounts for strong safety programs, while poor safety performance can increase premiums by 50% or more. Investing in safety typically provides 3-5x ROI through reduced insurance costs alone.

What is a Safety Impact Assessment (SIA)?

A Safety Impact Assessment (SIA) is our comprehensive evaluation of how safety initiatives affect your bottom line. We analyze: direct costs (insurance premiums, claims), indirect costs (productivity loss, replacement workers), cost savings from safety improvements, ROI on safety investments, and projected future savings. This helps you make data-driven decisions about safety investments and demonstrate value to leadership.

How can we improve our insurance RC rating?

Insurance Risk Control (RC) ratings assess your safety program quality. To improve your rating: implement comprehensive written safety programs, conduct regular safety inspections and audits, provide thorough employee training, maintain detailed documentation, investigate all incidents thoroughly, implement corrective actions promptly, and demonstrate continuous improvement. We help you prepare for RC evaluations and implement improvements that boost your rating.

What is OCIP/ROCIP?

OCIP (Owner Controlled Insurance Program) and ROCIP (Rolling Owner Controlled Insurance Program) are insurance programs where the project owner provides coverage for all contractors and subcontractors. These programs require strict safety compliance and documentation. We have extensive experience managing OCIP/ROCIP programs worth over $1.2 billion and can help contractors meet the stringent safety requirements.

How do claims affect our premiums?

Claims impact premiums in multiple ways: they increase your E-Mod for workers' compensation, affect your loss ratio for other insurance lines, influence underwriting decisions for renewal, and can result in higher deductibles or coverage restrictions. The impact typically lasts 3-5 years as claims roll off your experience rating. Effective claims management and prevention are crucial for controlling long-term insurance costs.

Additional Safety Resources

External resources for ongoing safety education

OSHA Official Website

Access OSHA regulations, standards, and compliance assistance resources.

Visit OSHA.gov

Army Corps EM 385-1-1

Safety and Health Requirements Manual for government contractors.

View EM 385-1-1

Texas Department of Insurance

Workers' compensation information and resources for Texas employers.

Visit TDI.texas.gov

NIOSH

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health research and recommendations.

Visit NIOSH

Have Questions About Your Safety Program?

Get expert answers and personalized guidance in a free consultation with our safety professionals.

RISK5 Compliance Group

Creating safer workplaces for Texas workers through training, awareness, and accountability.

702 Donaldson Avenue, Suite 200, San Antonio TX 78201

(210) 393-2497

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