For more information: 
Phil Tschudy 608/231-7188  philip.tschudy@cunamutual.com
Rick Uhlmann 608/231-8940  rick.uhlmann@cunamutual.com

June 20, 2008

Commit to a Safe Work Environment, Discovery Attendees Told
Workers’ Compensation Experts Tout Benefits of Education In Preventing Workplace Accidents

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – A commitment to safety and health in the workplace from top management and the establishment of a proactive return to work program can help prevent workplace injuries and reduce the duration and cost of disabilities, a panel of workers’ compensation experts told a Discovery Conference audience Friday.

Participating on the panel were Jim Hunt, underwriting specialist in CUNA Mutual Group’s Credit Union Protection division, and Liberty Mutual’s Kurt Salter, account consultant, national market loss prevention; Paul Bedrosian, service director; and Fred Filiaggi, Midwest loss prevention manager.  Discovery Conference runs through Saturday at The Westin Diplomat.

“Top management, supervisors, and all employees play a critical role in injury prevention,” Salter said.  “Identifying causes for common workplace injuries and taking steps to mitigate those risks can greatly decrease incidents of injury.  Very often, these are very simple solutions.”

Liberty Mutual research indicated injuries caused by overexerting oneself through excess lifting or pushing was the most common cause of disabling workplace injuries in 2005, and CUNA Mutual’s claims data supports those findings, Hunt said.

For example, research found employees moving 50-pound bags of coins often use two-wheel hand trucks.  Those don’t work well, because bags tend to roll onto the floor.  Dropped bags require employees to bend over and pick them up, which frequently results in back and shoulder problems.  The simple solution:  use low profile, four-wheel carts and educate employees on proper posture and lifting techniques.

Salter encouraged the use of educational resources, such as CUNA Mutual’s Workers Safety Web page, to make for a better, safer workplace.

When injuries do occur, a supervisor’s response can play a key role in helping employees return to work, Filiaggi said.  “Immediate response by supervisors to employees’ reports of work-related discomfort significantly influences length of disability.”

Negative supervisor attitudes and practices can impede return to work and rehabilitation for injured employees.  Research indicates that in such cases employees often perceived that their supervisors:

• Blamed the employee for the injury
• Never contacted the employee after the injury
• Didn’t speak with the employee privately
• Discouraged the employee from filing a claim
• Didn’t believe the symptoms were real
• Were angry with the employee for being injured
• Didn’t try to work out solutions with the employee

Supervisors responding positively to reports of work-related discomfort can have significant and independent effects on disability outcomes, Filiaggi said.  “It’s very important to communicate regularly and positively with employees.  Show them you care, encourage them and tell them you look forward to their return to work.”

Employees will get back to work sooner and reduce the amount of workers’ compensation claims and the credit union’s overall economic loss.

A recent Liberty Mutual study found that supervisors trained to properly respond, communicate and problem-solve with employees reduced new disability claims by 47 percent and active lost-time claims by 18 percent.

Filiaggi stressed that all parties have a role in returning an injured worker back to a productive environment.  “Credit unions need to report claims quickly, help direct medical care and provide alternative duty to workers who can work, but can’t yet do all the functions of their everyday job,” he said.

“Liberty Mutual strives to ensure all parties understand their role and to then apply our industry-leading expertise to coordinate efforts to manage medical costs and provide for the earliest possible return to work,” Filiaggi said.

CUNA Mutual formed an alliance in 2007 with Liberty Mutual, a recognized leader in workers’ compensation insurance and currently the second largest workers compensation insurer in the U.S.  “The alliance has allowed CUNA Mutual to expand workers’ compensation insurance in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Hunt said.  “It’s a nice fit.”

Recognized as a premier hands-on professional development conference for credit union leaders, the Discovery Conference offers more than 55 work sessions that deliver relevant content and actionable takeaways.  Credit union leaders also benefit from the extraordinary networking and hands-on learning opportunities.

CUNA Mutual Group is a leading provider of financial services to cooperatives, credit unions, their members and valued customers worldwide. With more than 70 years of market commitment, CUNA Mutual’s vision is unwavering: to be a trusted business partner who delivers service excellence and customer-focused, best-in-class products and market-driven innovation. More information on the company is available on the company’s Web site at www.cunamutual.com.