HARRISBURG – More than one million Pennsylvania workers are safer today thanks to business efforts to eliminate workplace hazards, Gov. Edward G. Rendell said. While a record number of workers are benefiting from the state’s certified workplace safety committee program, participating businesses have saved more than $266 million.
“The hardworking men and women who make up Pennsylvania’s workforce deserve the safest workplaces we can provide,” Rendell said. “Making workplaces safer for more than one million employees is a milestone worth celebrating as we continue working to make our workforce safe and as productive as possible.
“Since 1994, state-certified workplace safety committees have helped to protect the physical health of more than one million employees, while boosting businesses’ economic health,” he said. “I encourage employers who don’t currently have state-certified workplace safety committees to become part of our next million employees covered.”
Since Rendell took office, employer participation in the state-certified workplace safety committee program has increased by 34 percent, from 5,369 in 2003 to 7,214 this year. Collectively, those 7,214 participating employers have saved more than $266 million, as a result of the 5-percent discount they receive on their annual workers’ compensation insurance premiums.
Businesses interested in protecting workers and saving money can get additional information online PA Keyword: workplace safety.