The first and best line of defense against escalating workers' compensation costs is a safe and healthy workplace However, in today's litigious business environment. even this may not be enough. In order to be an effective member of the team responsible for keeping workers' compensation costs in check safety and health professionals need to cooperate with risk management pro- fissional in implementing the following strategies
1. Establish an effective safety and health program, and document it clearly and comprehensively for the workers' compensation underwriters
2. Review workers' compensation claims to ensure that they are accurate before they are submitted to underwriters
3. Analyze concentrations of risk by location and have comprehensive, up-to- date plans on hand for preventing and responding to catastrophic events.
4. Advise risk management professionals on potential hazards and related risks so they can make informed decisions concerning levels of coverage and deductibles
5. Communicate frequently with risk management personnel-you and they are on the same team.
6. Develop strategies for dealing with terrorism-many workers' compensation underwriters exclude terrorism from their 31