The Safe Communities Incentive Program (SCIP) is looking for small businesses to join in its continuing efforts to make the workplace safe for the year ahead.
Last year, 92 district businesses participated in SCIP, part of the Workplace Safety Insurance Board’s prevention initiative to reduce workplace injuries.
“The 1998 SCIP was hugely successful,” co-ordinator Jeannette Cawston said yesterday.
“The information the participating businesses learned was of benefit to them,” she added. “Essentially, it’s a ‘win-win’ program so businesses shouldn’t miss out.”
WSIB takes into account the accident history of these businesses and gives SCIP an estimate–or baseline amount–for potential workplace incidents.
The 1998 baseline for Rainy River District was $417,000, of which 75 percent (or $327,000) initially was eligible to SCIP. Each time one of these registered businesses had an incident, the cost was deducted from the baseline figure.
But as of Dec. 31, these businesses used less than 16 percent of the baseline by reducing workplace incidents.
These SCIP members also used the new “return to work plan,” which not only helps reduce the cost of a claim but also is aimed at getting an employee back to work–keeping up their sense of morale and job stability.
There is no registration fee for a business to be on the SCIP “team.” The only requirements are that business owners/supervisors attend Safe Workplace Awareness Training and participate in a workplace evaluation with their trainer.
The business also must pay less than $90,000 in assessments to WSIB.
Those interested are encouraged to contact Cawston at 274-3276 to register. Registration forms also can be picked up at the Rainy River Future Development Corp.’s office at 400 Scott St.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
