Dallas Mercer Consulting Inc.
E-NEWS...OCTOBER 2009
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If your Workers Compensation costs are too high...we can help!
 "Employers have to
stop giving so much of their hard earned money to Workers'
Compensation!"
According to
the 2008 Annual Report for the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation
Commission (WHSCC), Newfoundland and Labrador's average assessment rates are 21%
higher than the average rate in Atlantic Canada. Our claims duration
has increased from 112
days in 2007 to 121 days in 2008. This is almost
double the National average.
Despite the fact that our injury incidence rate has decreased
significantly over the past several years, our WHSCC assessment rates continue
to be high and claims duration continues to rise.
Interesting to note,
while we are seeing fewer claims to manage, the Commissions' expenses have
drastically increased by $13.1 million from 2007, bringing total expenditures to
$184 million in 2008. The annual report sited reasons for the rising costs as
increased claims costs and administration.
In short, Newfoundland and
Labrador employers are reporting fewer injuries, so the WHSCC have less claims
to manage yet the cost to manage claims has escalated. One would assume that
with less claims, employers would be rewarded with lower assessment
rates.
"Reducing your workers'
compensation assessments should be a priority if you want to remain competitive
in your industry," says Dallas Mercer, President of Dallas Mercer
Consulting Inc. (DMC), a local Disability and Occupational Health and Safety
(OH&S) Management firm. Dallas continues, "This is where we come in. We offer a FREE "Needs
Analysis" to help clients understand how the system works. We look at their
assessment rate to make sure they in the right rate code, review PRIME and
Health Care Costs, examine whether or not they are receiving their PRIME and
Experience refunds and provide advice and guidance on how to obtain refunds and reduce their Workers' Compensation costs."
Says Dan Burry, General Manager of Clarenville
Drydock, "Thank goodness for the experienced
team at DMC that offer services to employers experiencing difficulties with the
WHSCC. A Commission that is not "user friendly" and cloaks itself in bureaucracy
that only a team such as DMC can penetrate. In the past year, we have realized
thousands of dollars charged by the WHSCC in error, have had coding errors
corrected; and reductions in over charged premiums. DMC understands the Workers'
Compensation system."
With a keen eye for business and over 17
years experience working in Disability and Claims Management, Dallas offers
employers advice in the often misunderstood area of workers' compensation.
Michel Cayouette, Vice President of Carol Automobile in Labrador City
says, "we are fortunate to have such a great
resource available to employers in Newfoundland and Labrador...we highly
recommend them."
"Workers' Compensation is not a place for
Amateurs" says Ches Penney, Chairman, Pennecon Limited.Many employers
have little more than a passing acquaintance with how their workers'
compensation insurance costs are determined. More importantly, they don't
understand how to represent themselves effectively when assessment or claim
disputes arise. In other parts of Canada, the culture of using disability
management consultants to handle employer's Workers' Compensation claims is well
established.
Says Cindy Guy of Mount Carson Manor in Mount Pearl,
"As an HR manager and owner of a business, I
had no idea how much I didn't know about Workers' Compensation or the way
refunds are calculated, claims are managed or the importance of completing
committee meetings to obtain our PRIME refunds. Meeting with Dallas really
opened my eyes and working with DMC is like having our own mini virtual workers'
compensation department."
Since the inception of PRIME,
employers have left millions of dollars on the table at the Commission in
refunds, in large part due to a lack of understanding of how the system works.
Dallas says, "Employers have to stop giving
so much of their hard earned money to Workers'
Compensation!"
Now in their seventh year of business, DMC
has grown to include thirteen competent staff, including disability managers and
safety engineers, serving clients in all sectors of the economy, both in
Newfoundland and Labrador and across Canada.
To read more about DMC or
see what clients are saying about their services, check out the website at
www.dmconsulting.ca. DMC is located at 603 Topsail Road in St. John's,
Newfoundland. You can contact them by calling (709) 364-3900 or email solutions@dmconsulting.ca.
This article has also
been printed in the Board of Trade magazine,
Business News, November, 2009 edition.
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OH&S TRAINING CALENDAR
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 OUR SERVICES
Claims Management
Coaching and mentoring clients existing staff or taking on that role completely WHSCC AppealsAdvise and/or represent the employer both levels of WHSCC's Appeal Process PRIMEProvide 'Needs Analysis' for your company in Compliance with WHSCC's PRIME program-including auditing, recommendations and implementation Health and Safety Have a need for a Safety Engineer but not enough for a permanent employee position. We can help!We can develop your program, conduct audits and much more. We even prepare customized "Toolbox Talks" on health and safety issues EducationWe offer Lunch and Learn Sessions, Seminars or Speaking Engagements to help you, your staff and your peers learn more TrainingFor all of your OH&S needs as well as Professional Development Courses we can assist you in your certifications
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