Investment in safety is commonsense for Montana businesses and workers

Montana has the unenviable position of third-highest workplace injury rates in the nation. To solve this problem, it is vital that we work together as a state to drive these injury rates down. The three of us are working across party lines to address this challenge.

Workplace injuries drive down business productivity and drastically reduce the quality of life and income potential for Montana working families, and drive down business productivity. Workplace injuries are also the No. 1 factor driving high costs in the workers compensation system.

High workers compensation costs cut into profitability, chip away at wages and benefits, and reduce the number of employees a business can hire. Workplace injuries are hindering Montana’s economic growth. If we do not commit to invest in preventing workplace injuries, these costs will continue to constrain our economy.

The National Council of Compensation Insurers estimates Montana’s loss costs could be reduced by $115 million if we reduced our workplace injury rates to the national average — money that could be invested in Main Street businesses, increase profits, drive wage growth and fuel job creation.

As chair of Gov. Steve Bullock’s Labor Management Advisory Council on Workers’ Compensation, Lt. Gov. McLean has had the opportunity to dig into one of Montana’s biggest challenges. LMAC is made up of representatives from business and labor, appointed by Gov. Bullock, who have spent the last two years looking for commonsense, consensus solutions to our workers’ compensation and workplace injury challenges.

LMAC is proposing two pieces of legislation that provide leadership and resources to employers across the state in an effort to meet the challenge of reducing our injury rates. Sen. Tutvedt and Rep. Hunter are working across the aisle to support these bills because they are the responsible thing to do for our state.

The first proposal enables the Montana Department of Labor and Industry Safety and Health Bureau to work with federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration to implement a homegrown plan that replaces federal OSHA’s jurisdiction with a state OSHA. Here in Montana, we know that solutions from Washington, D.C. don’t always fit our state, and we need to look to the know-how of real Montanans, and Montana businesses, to address this challenge. Federal OSHA has failed to make a dent in Montana’s workplace injury rates; it’s time for a Montana solution.

The second proposal maintains state investment in safety consultations and resources for Montana businesses. It is essential that we continue to educate and prevent workplace injuries by transforming our workplace culture into one that prioritizes safety.

By working with Montana businesses, the Montana Department of Labor and Industry Safety and Health Bureau has contributed to a 10 percent decline in Montana’s injury rate since 2010 and saved $30 million. Montana businesses and workers have achieved these results by working with the bureau to provide free safety trainings, OSHA compliance consultations and inspections, and SafetyFest conferences across Montana. The efforts have been instrumental in achieving these incredible results, but without the support of the Montana Legislature, safety services for Montana businesses will end.

Now that the Montana Legislature has convened, please join us by reaching out to your legislator to talk about the importance of Montana’s workplace safety culture. With businesses and workers committed to join the battle, we can cultivate Montana’s safety culture and watch as the return on our investment in safety grows.

Lt. Gov. Angela McLean, House Minority Leader Rep. Chuck Hunter and Sen. Bruce Tutvedt, chairman of the Senate Taxation Committee.