Peer Review Recognized Texas Workers Comp Safety Issues

The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation (TDI-DWC) Peer Review Safety Award Program recognizes Texas employers with comprehensive safety programs. Once approved, these programs serve as models or standards of comparison for employers developing or reviewing their own workplace safety programs. Companies are nominated or can self-nominate, and qualify for the award by having proven safety programs in place and workplace and injury incidence rates below the national averages for their industries for at least three years. Recently recognized are Anthony Forest Products of Atlanta, Eastman Forge Inc. of Beaumont, James Avery Craftsman Inc. of Kerrville and Power Resources Ltd. of Big Spring. Anthony Forest Products a completely integrated forest products company, operates a southern pine lumber producing mill in Atlanta, Texas, with facilities in Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas and Canada. To encourage safety rules compliance company management provides resources to maintain company safety policies, rewards employees for good safety and health behavior and addresses poor safety performances through counseling. Eastham Forge Inc. employees 95 workers and forges metal blanks into valve bodies and other items. The company's safety program promotes employee involvement by allowing employee assistance with inspections, accident and incident investigations, hazard correction and employee safety training. The company also has a new employee mentoring program. Mentors participate in the safety training of their newly hired co-workers. James Avery Craftsman Inc. is a jewelry manufacturer with production facilities in Kerrville, Fredericksburg and Hondo and retail stores in Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, Colorado and Louisiana. A three-time award recipient, the company has an active safety program, in which its 1,500 employees are encouraged to participate on safety committees and report hazards. The company also maintains commendable safety manuals and written policies. Power Resources Ltd., a 212-mega watt natural gas-fueled cogeneration project, has 19 employees. (workersxzcompxzkit) The plant's safety committee coordinates an action plan, requiring employees to inspect hazard controls as part of their daily work routine. The plan empowers each employee to stop any and all operations if they identify an unsafe, hazardous or potentially hazardous situation. The plan also provides incentive programs and bonus pay for safe work practices and has a disciplinary process in place for noncompliance with company safety policies. Author: Robert Elliott, J.D.