Optimus Risk

Pennsylvania State-Certified Workplace Safety Committee Program

Since the inception of the program there are more than 11,000 certified Workplace Safety Committees covering over 1,600,000 Pennsylvania employees. Approximate cumulative total of employer premium savings of nearly 700 million dollars.

ORS facilitates & manages the entire process associated with the certification of the safety committee. As per the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act (Section 1002 of PA Act 44) the incentive for employers who gain the certification according to Act 44 safety committee criteria is a five per cent discount in workers’ compensation insurance rate.

The benefits of having an effective safety committee include a reduction in the number of workplace injuries & illnesses, reduction in the hidden costs such as:

  • Time lost from work by injured 
  • Loss in earning power  Economic loss to family 
  • Lost time by fellow workers
  • Loss of efficiency due to break-up of crew
  • Lost time by supervision
  • Cost of breaking in new worker
  • Damage to tools and equipment
  • Time damage equipment is out of service
  • Loss of production
  •  Spoilage–fire, water, chemical, explosive, etc. 
  • Overhead cost (while work was disrupted)

By maintaining a certified safety committee the company will receive a 5% premium discount for their workers compensation insurance. Based on an annual premium of $200,000 the savings would equate to a savings of $10,000.

PA Workplace Safety Committee Certification Training

Required Annual Safety Committee Training: Committee members will be trained in Accident Investigation, Operations of the Safety Committee, and Hazard Identification (as per Act 44 the safety committee members must be trained annually). 

  • Accident Investigation Program
  • Hazard Identification
  • Operations of the Safety Committee
  • Employee Substance Abuse Awareness & Prevention

Note: Required training for the certification process can only be presented by a qualified Accident and Illness Prevention Service Provider as recognized by the Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Bureau. Optimus Risk Services employees all hold the required qualifications.

FAQ: PA Workplace Safety Committee Certification Program Requirements

First, establish a workplace safety committee that meets the requirements listed below. Then, after six months of operation, complete a committee certification application and submit it to the PA Bureau of Workers’ Compensation for approval.

First, establish a workplace safety committee that meets the requirements listed below. Then, after six months of operation, complete a committee certification application and submit it to the PA Bureau of Workers’ Compensation for approval.

First, establish a workplace safety committee that meets the requirements listed below. Then, after six months of operation, complete a committee certification application and submit it to the PA Bureau of Workers’ Compensation for approval.

First, establish a workplace safety committee that meets the requirements listed below. Then, after six months of operation, complete a committee certification application and submit it to the PA Bureau of Workers’ Compensation for approval.

First, establish a workplace safety committee that meets the requirements listed below. Then, after six months of operation, complete a committee certification application and submit it to the PA Bureau of Workers’ Compensation for approval.

First, establish a workplace safety committee that meets the requirements listed below. Then, after six months of operation, complete a committee certification application and submit it to the PA Bureau of Workers’ Compensation for approval.