Case Studies:
"With SMART on the job, I am able to sleep better at night knowing that my workers are going home safely."
- Ted Baker, President of Baker Electric Case Studies
Baker Electric
Baker Electric, Inc. is a fourth generation, family-owned and operated company, in business since 1938. They are a full-service electrical contractor that has won contracts throughout southern California on projects ranging from military installations to casinos.
"I wouldn't hesitate to recommend SMART Inc. SMART gave us clear direction and implemented a program reducing our losses an estimated 94%. Knowing that my workers are going home safely lets me sleep better at night."
- Ted Baker, President
- Ted Baker, President
Problem:
Baker Electric, Inc. had $370,000 in worker's compensation losses in 2003. The organization was in a high growth mode, hiring new employees to handle all of the contracts they were earning. The foremen and the workers needed training on how to work safely. In addition, they were unsure how to interpret and apply the relevant rules and regulations. Although they knew safety was important to the company's management, they were not following a safety program and were not focused on safety performance.Finding the Right Partner:
Baker Electric chose SMART Safety Services, Inc. as their safety management partner. SMART was chosen for its unique blend of knowledge, skills, and abilities. The management at SMART is educated in the theories and principles of Safety Management, and can bring a systems perspective to a client's company. SMART is able to pick up on complex dynamics that can cause accidents, thus allowing their clients to prevent them. A "safety culture" is the focus of SMART's safety management program.SMART Solution:
SMART Services developed and managed a customized safety program for Baker Electric. The objective of the program was to develop a safety culture. This required developing and implementing new employee orientation, foreman orientation, inspection protocols, disciplinary action, and monthly program evaluation. SMART ran a quarterly Foreman's Meeting, a Superintendent's Meeting every two months, and a Management Meeting for division leaders every two months. SMART also audited all the jobsites and implemented a proactive training program based on un-safe practices that SMART observed in the field. In addition, SMART aggressively managed all claims, supervising medical treatment and controlling costs for all incidents or accidents.Evaluation:
SMART reduced Baker's worker's compensation losses 94%, saving them hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. At this rate, Baker will have saved over $1,000,000 on losses by 2007. SMART accomplished this by effectively changing the worker's and foremen's attitudes about safety. Foremen now use SMART as a resource, calling to ask advice whenever they are in a questionable situation. Although we are Baker's outsource partner, we are treated like employees of the company. In fact, SMART was the only vendor to be invited to Baker's annual golf tournament.
By the end of 2006 Baker will have saved over $1,000,000.00 in losses!
Lessons learned:
Creating a "safety culture" is the single most important factor in reducing workman's compensation losses when a company is increasing its payroll numbers.