Timber Trade Industrial Association

Worker’s Compensation Insurance – Industry Feedback

TTIA Members have consistently provided feedback that the impact of workers’ compensation costs are either a major and often unsustainable cost.  The main areas of concern for Members relate to the costs to their organisation, the performance of their insurers, and the inadequacy of the rehabilitation process which is an outcome often driven by the insurer and the rehabilitation provider.

In order to provide some assistance to Members, the Association recently conducted a survey about workers’ compensation insurance agents and rehabilitation providers.

Questions about the performance of the insurer included:

How do you rate the general performance of your agent?

a. responding to problems concerning employee compliance or performance of doctors or rehab. providers?

b. effectiveness in handling your claims to ensure a rapid return to work?

c. keeping you up to date with the status of outstanding claims?

Summary:

1 76% of respondents reported they were satisfied – very satisfied with their insurer while 37% were dissatisfied – very dissatisfied with their insurer.

2 A small number of Members who were insured by Gallagher & Bassett stated they were satisfied – very satisfied with their services.

3 QBE performed well with 71% of 14 employers rating their services as satisfied – very satisfied.

4 A number of specific insurers were named where it appeared they had a greater percentage of dissatisfied clients than satisfied clients.  Members can contact the Association for specific details of those insurers.

Cont…

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Worker’s Compensation Insurance

REMINDER:

SUPERANNUATION CHANGES FOR ORDINARY TIME EARNINGS COMMENCED 1 JULY 2008

Members are reminded that from 1 July 2008 employers must comply with the standardised earnings base (now based on ordinary time earnings) for calculating superannuation contributions under the Federal Superannuation Guarantee legislation.

Employers using alternative earnings bases (such as ‘superannuation salary’ in a relevant award or trust deed) will need to adopt ordinary time earnings as their earnings base from 1 July 2008.

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Super08

Interactive CD – Manual Handling for Frame & Truss Workers

TTIA have been asked to promote this interactive CD which has been developed through funding by the Commonwealth Department of Education Science and Training (DEST) Workplace English Language and Literacy (WELL) Programme.  The purpose of the project is for use with timber workers involved in production work.  Although it is suitable for all workers, its presentation style is particularly suited to people who have poor reading and writing skills and have trouble coping with traditional text-based course notes.

TTIA endorse this product and if you would like to know more about this training aid, please contact Brian Beecroft at the TTIA Office on (02) 9264 0011.

Improving the NSW Workers Compensation Premium System

The NSW Government is committed to working to deliver reductions in workers’ compensation premiums and creating a Scheme that works better for employers and employees.

The reforms aim to make the system simpler and fairer and provide business with greater incentives to improve occupational health and safety, injury management and return to work opportunities.

The next phase of the improvement program will commence on 31 December 2005, including:

· a five per cent reduction in all premium rates

· a reduction in late payment fees

· further changes to make the premium system fairer for business.

These changes will take effect for all policies commencing on or after 31 December 2005.

Five per cent reduction in premium rates

In November 2005, NSW Premier Morris Iemma announced a five per cent reduction in workers’ compensation premium rates across all WorkCover Industry Classifications.

For example:

A medium employer in a regional area of NSW who is experience adjusted for claims and operating a supermarket with wages of $842,500 will have a final premium of $43,033 as a result of the five per cent rate reduction. Before the rate reduction, this employer’s premium would have been $44,970.

A large Sydney-based employer who is experience adjusted for claims and engaged in clothing manufacturing and retailing with total wages of $17m will receive a final premium decrease from $475,700 to $451,560, as a result of the reduction.

Cont……

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Improving the NSW Premium System Jan 06