Compensation cost survey

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34127, 13 April 1976, Page 7

Compensation cost survey

A survey of the cost of compensation paid to workers in the first week of absence after accidents is to be made by the Employers’ Federation. The survey forms are included in the March issue of the federation’s magazine, "Employer,” and employers are urged to supply the information before April 30. The "Employer” says that most of the information required by the 10-question form can be drawn from the annual company returns to the Accident Compensation Commission. It seeks the number of man-hours lost by work accidents and the number of accidents that have occurred, and asks if employers would be prepared to pay an increased levy if the commission assumed liability for the first week’s compensation. The information will enable

the federation to determine the cost to employers of the scheme for the first time, it says. The cost of work injuries averages $lOO an employee, or sloom a year, according to the Accident Compensation Commission. Added to this is the cost of hospital treatment and medical services, property damage, and distress, which greatly increased the total cost, says the commission. The commission is distributing a safety folder offering the help of its safety division. It can provide practical advice from staff who will give demonstrations, show films, and run accident prevention courses for supervisors and apprentices. There are also one-week residential courses, and twoday courses for smaller companies, says tire commission. The folder has a tear-off section that can be returned to the commission by firms that have not used its services before.