An Injury and Illness Prevention Program is a commonly known process that works to proactively lower work place hazards. These programs focus around lowering injury, illness, and fatalities, and can also help lower your bottom line.

Studies nationwide have shown that Injury and Illness Prevention Program lower workers’ compensation and other costs, improve morale, and improve processes, amongst many other things. OSHA studied 8 states that implemented a form of Injury and Illness prevention and found that the states’ policies lowered injury and illness incidences by 9 percent to more than 60 percent. Their success stories follow:

• Alaska experienced a 17.4 percent decrease in injury and illness claims within 5 years of implementing their Injury and Illness Prevention Program.
• California had a net decrease of 19 percent of injuries and illness within five years of the required implementation of their Injury and Illness Prevention Program.
• Colorado encouraged the implementation of the program with a return of a reduced workers’ compensation premium. “The cumulative annual reduction in accidents was 23 percent and the cumulative reduction in accident costs was between 58 and 62 percent,” said OSHA.
• Hawaii has had an Injury and Illness Prevention Plan in place for 18 years. Data shows an overall net reduction of 20.7 percent reduction in Injuries and Illnesses since 1985 due to the program.
• Massachusetts provides a premium credit to companies who enroll in their Injury and Illness Prevention program. In the first year of this program alone, Massachusetts saw a 20.8 percent reduction in injuries and loss.
• North Dakota offered a 5 percent discount on annual workers’ compensation premiums. Over a four year period, injuries and illness reduced by 38 percent.
• Texas found that over a four year period, the reduction of injuries and illness was 63 percent each year.
• Washington experiences a 9.4 percent decrease after instilling Injury and Illness Prevention Programs.

The rates of success have varied from state to state based on their specific requirements and incentives. More and more states continue to implement Injury Illness Prevention Plans in an effort to lower risk in their work place and also to lower their bottom line.

To learn what the existing Injury and Illness Prevention Program requirements are in your state, click here.

To learn how to implement an Injury and Illness Prevention Program, contact [email protected].