Cherokee Among Alabama Counties Honored for Providing Safer Workplaces

County safety efforts pay off across Alabama

Taxpayers benefit as 44 counties rewarded for ongoing efforts

ACCA-header-finalA yearlong effort across Alabama to provide safer workplaces and reduce injuries has produced dividends for 44 county commissions, which have received cash awards from the Association of County Commissions of Alabama’s insurance funds.

ACCA’s Safety Incentive Discount Program, administered by its self-funded insurance programs, rewards counties for ongoing efforts to enhance training for employees in safety-sensitive positions, improve driver safety and produce a work environment focused on accident prevention.

The awards totaled $943,654 statewide this year, when safety incentives and investment earnings from the workers’ compensation fund are combined. Amounts for individual counties are based on that county’s annual premium and the level of participation in safety activities. The incentive program contains nine basic elements, all aimed at making county employees more aware of safety issues, taking active steps to reduce risk and providing educational opportunities for county employees and officials.

“We are extremely pleased that so many counties have embraced the philosophy of actively reducing those factors that lead to injuries and property loss,” said ACCA Executive Director Sonny Brasfield. “It is important that proactive steps be taken to reduce the likelihood of events.”

Brasfield explained that these counties’ willingness to emphasize loss-prevention can only lead to an avoidance of those events that are preventable. He pointed to the use of seat belts, eliminating texting while driving, active review of work areas for safety risks and proactive training opportunities as some of the key factors in reducing losses.

“Although all accidents cannot be avoided,” he said, “the research is clear – entities that establish and operate a proactive safety program are more likely to avoid accidents, reduce the amount of lost work time and, ultimately, save money for the taxpayers.”

The following county commissions received awards through the Safety Incentive Discount Program:

Autauga, Baldwin, Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Choctaw, Clay, Cleburne, Colbert, Coosa, Crenshaw, Cullman, Dale, Dallas, DeKalb, Escambia, Etowah, Franklin, Geneva, Greene, Hale, Henry, Houston, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Lee, Limestone, Marengo, Marion, Marshall, Morgan, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Randolph, St. Clair, Sumter, Washington and Wilcox.

ACCA’s insurance programs, which provide services to injured county employees and provide liability protection for employees and officials, are managed by boards of trustees.

The Association of County Commissions of Alabama is a statewide organization speaking for all 67 counties with ONE voice. It promotes improved county government services in Alabama, offers educational programs for county officials and their staff members, administers insurance programs for county governments and employees, offers legal advice, and represents the interests of county government before state and federal organizations and agencies.

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