May 3, 2007 - The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) and the Metalworking Industries of Michigan Workers' Compensation Fund (MIM W.C. Fund) signed a formal alliance today to protect the safety and health of Michigan's metalworking industry workers. The MIOSHA program is part of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG).

Mark Sledzinski, Fund Administrator, MIM W.C. Fund; and Doug Kalinowski, Director, MIOSHA Program; signed the alliance. Also participating in the signing were the Fund Board of Trustees, which is composed of active MIM W.C. Fund members.

"Keeping Michigan metalworking industry workers safe and healthy on the job is the focus of this alliance," said Kalinowski. "This proactive partnership between labor, industry and government, can save lives by ensuring that worker safety and health plays an integral role in Fund member's workplaces."

Alliances enable organizations committed to workplace safety and health to collaborate with MIOSHA to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. Alliances are open to all groups, including: trade or professional associations, businesses, labor organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies.

"The members and trustees of the Metalworking Industries of Michigan Workers' Compensation Fund remain fully committed to the principles of workplace safety and this alliance supports that philosophy," said Sledzinski. "The MIM W.C. Fund has been an industry leader in maintaining a focus on education and training. This knowledge and commitment to safety has enabled our membership to grow and evolve into top tier providers of metalworking services in Michigan." 

The goals of this alliance include, but are not limited to: 

• Promoting and improving shop safety by providing safety awareness and other outreach activities across the state; 
• Providing training and education activities and encouraging member participation; 
• Sponsoring seminars with the Consultation Education and Training (CET) Division on power press safety, safety and health management systems, and lockout/tagout; and 
• Including articles in regular membership mailings on the alliance, the seminars, and other safety issues.

Rising workers' compensation premiums in the late 1970s inspired a group of individuals in the metalworking trades to band together and form the Metalworking Industries of Michigan Self-Funded Workers' Compensation Program (MIM W.C. Fund) as an alternative to purchasing traditional insurance. Since its inception in 1981, the group has grown to more than 150 member companies, representing in excess of $6,000,000 in estimated premiums, with an average experience modification of just 0.81.

The MIM W.C. Fund utilizes specialized underwriting requirements which enable it to enroll only metalworking companies that are actively managing their loss control and safety programs to reduce claims costs. The Fund feels that a strong safety education and claims management commitment at the corporate level equates to low claims exposure for the entire group. This allows them the opportunity to potentially make larger returns of surplus premiums.

Fund members are encouraged to maintain an on-going employee education and training program, with the goal of reduced injuries and lower medical expenditures. This results in greater surpluses and more money returned to their members.

There are many benefits to participating in an alliance with MIOSHA. Through this program, organizations will: 

• Build trusting, cooperative relationships. 
• Network with others committed to workplace safety and health. 
• Exchange information about best practices.
• Leverage resources to maximize worker safety and health protection.

For more information about forming an alliance or partnership with MIOSHA, please check our website at www.michigan.gov/miosha or contact the Consultation Education and Training (CET) Division at 517.322.1809.

Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth press releases.