ABC Retro makes Financial Cents: Part 2: Hidden Costs of Other programs
2010 STEP Applications Are In the Mail
First Phase of Construction Crane Certification Effective as of January 1, 2010
By Greg Kabacy, Employer Resources Northwest
Many companies come into a retrospective rating program looking for a free lunch. Retrospective rating is touted as a way to get some of your premium money you pay back from the Department of Labor and Industries. Some employers often shop retro groups like a person would shop for toilet paper, where brand is not the most important deciding factor, price is. The problem with shopping for a retro program based on price is that just like toilet paper, you tend to get what you pay for.
The number one question I hear is “What is the cost of the joining the association to be a part of the retro program?” What I tell folks is that the association dues are only one component of the true cost of a retro program. If association dues are the only criteria an employer is looking at, they may be missing all of the other hidden costs. While upfront costs may loom in this economy, it is important to factor in the overall performance of the group. Additionally, an employer should ask whether or not the association keeps any portion of their member’s refunds. If they do, what does the association do with that money? Do they use it for their own political agenda? What is the formula for releasing the leftover refunds to the members? When you start to add up difference in refunds, the money taken away from member’s earned refunds, the complex formulas that may be used, and factor in the services an association provides, does the cheaper toilet paper really pay off, or does it leave you feeling unsatisfied in the end?
ABC provides its members with unrivaled services, a clear and fair refund formula, and they do not use any of their member’s refund money for political agendas. In the end, ABC and their retro program just make cents. Contact Greg Kabacy at Employer Resources Northwest: (800) 433-7601 ext. 803.
The new 2010 STEP applications were sent to all ABC of Western Washington Retro and contractor members the second week of January. The deadline to return the completed submittal form to ABC of Western Washington is March 5, 2010. Send all completed forms to ABC of Western Washington. Do not send any STEP forms directly to ABC National. Completion of the STEP form is a requirement for all ABC Retro members.
There have been some changes to the 2010 STEP application. For 2010, participants at all levels must submit their 2009 OSHA 300A form. There are going to be five levels of recognition starting this year. They are bronze, silver, gold, platinum and diamond. The bronze, silver and gold categories are free. There is a fee attached to both platinum and diamond.
For gold recognition, there is now an incident rate qualification just as there has been for the platinum participants. The incident rates are located in the chart on page 7 of the STEP booklet.
There are also changes for platinum applicants. Platinum applicants will now also have to have a minimum Experience Modification Rate (EMR) rate in addition to the minimum incident rate. Also for 2010 you will submit a copy of your 2009 OSHA 300 log, with the employees names removed. There is no longer a requirement for your insurer’s statement. New this year is a size differential. If you have fewer than 100 employees, you may use a three year average for your incident rate. The one year wait to qualify for platinum has been dropped. In other words, if you meet the qualifications, you can apply at any time. You no longer need to have received gold or platinum level the prior year.
Beginning in 2010 there will be a new STEP level, Diamond. Because STEP diamond is a new category, participation in 2010 is by invitation only. There are additional requirements above platinum level that the applicant must meet.
If you are applying for the platinum award, send all the paperwork, including your check made payable to ABC of Western Washington. The ABC National Safety Committee will review all platinum applications. For 2010, ABC National will choose those companies who meet the diamond criteria and invite them to participate at that level. Applicants who have either fatalities or willful violations will not be eligible for STEP platinum or diamond. Platinum and diamond recipients will comprise the group from which ABC National will select its National Excellence in Safety Award winners. Platinum and diamond level winners will receive special recognition in ABC and non-ABC publications.
If you have not yet received your STEP form, please call Abby Binion or Ann Jarvis at (800) 640-7789, (425) 646-8000.
The first phase of the construction crane certification program and crane operator qualifications, as outlined in RCW 49.17.400 through 440, has been adopted and was effective January 1, 2010.
This rule requires that all cranes used for construction work must be certified and proof load tested annually by an accredited crane certifier recognized by the department of labor and industries. There are exemptions for this rule and they are located in WAC296-155-52900(2).
In addition, this rule requires that all crane operators have a valid crane operator certificate, for the type of crane to be operated, issued by a crane operator testing organization accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency.
The applicable sections for this rule are WAC 296-155-529 through WAC296-155-53300. If you have any questions relating to this rule you may contact Larry Markee at (360) 902-4553. Visit the L&I construction crane page for more information about construction crane requirements, click here.