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County updates employee-safety language in handbook to pursue insurer cost-containment certification
Summary
Garfield County revised its employee safety policy language in the personnel handbook to clarify supervisory and employee responsibilities and to align with criteria for a workers’-compensation cost-containment certification from its insurer.
Garfield County on Jan. 20 approved updated safety-policy language for the county employee handbook to clarify shared responsibilities for safety, reporting and return-to-work procedures. The change is part of a broader effort to qualify for a workers’-compensation cost-containment certification with the county’s insurer, which requires documented programs in six areas: policy, safety coordinator/committee, rules, training, designated medical providers and written claims management.
What changed: The revised language adds explicit duties for supervisors (develop safety programs, provide safeguards, promote safety culture, review rules and training) and employees (report hazards immediately, wear required personal protective equipment, report work-related injuries immediately and follow safety rules). County HR said the updates do not create new legal obligations beyond existing state and federal law but do clarify expectations and help the county meet insurer certification criteria.
Why it matters: Achieving the insurer’s cost-containment certification could reduce the county’s workers’-compensation costs; the insurer requires a year of documented program performance before final certification. Commissioners asked for additional clarity on safety rules location and how department-specific safety rules (sheriff, road & bridge, landfill) will be integrated with the new handbook language.
Outcome and next steps: The board approved the handbook language changes. HR said the designated-provider list, department safety rules and claims-management procedures are posted on the county intranet and provided at new-hire orientation. The county is actively recruiting a safety and risk specialist to manage the program and will convene the safety committee to operationalize training and reporting.
Ending: Commissioners approved the changes with plans to monitor implementation and asked staff to return with documentation supporting certification progress and clarity on departmental safety rules.
