Summary: Members rewarded for safety efforts.
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The Associated General Contractors Oregon-Columbia Chapter (AGC) and SAIF announced today a payout of more than $6.5 million for the 639 companies who participated in the AGC/SAIF group workers’ compensation program during 2018–2019. This includes a $3,360,142 retrospective return—representing a 9.98% return of paid premiums during the policy year—and adjustments from the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) assessment and non-disabling claim reimbursements.
Individual results and retro checks will be mailed directly from SAIF to policyholders in mid-August.
Combined with the 12% upfront premium discount, this creates a total combined savings this year of 22%. A retro return has been paid to AGC members in 27 of the past 28 years, surpassing $196 million total.
Although the retro return is lower compared to last year’s, it remains a significant indicator of the participating companies’ commitment to worker safety. These results are despite unique challenges in the year being evaluated (between 2018 and 2019), including increased construction activity and an ongoing shortage of qualified workers. We anticipate additional challenges next year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Employers will see additional savings this year due to a significant reduction in Oregon pure premium rates for 2020. The contracting industry decreased 10.9% overall, and the AGC group weighted average rate decrease is 10.2%. While employers pay less in initial premium, those decreases put pressure on continued safety performance, and employers and employees alike must remain vigilant with their safety efforts.
“2020 has shaped up to be a crazy, turbulent year. Yet for the 28th year in a row, contractors in the SAIF-AGC workers’ compensation program have continued to demonstrate a high level of commitment and performance. We appreciate the partnership we have with SAIF in being able to work with our members to build projects safely while keeping our workers safe and healthy,” said Mike Salsgiver, executive director of the AGC Oregon-Columbia Chapter.
The retro return is based on the safety performance of all group members, so it is truly a team effort. Employers in the program make investments and commitments to safety and training. Employees carry out the work, using safe work practices and behaviors. And industry professionals from SAIF, AGC, and agent brokers work diligently to train and educate, manage claims costs, and help injured workers get back to work.
“We are very proud of the results for this program and all of the effort and hard work that has gone into keeping Oregon’s construction workers safe and healthy. This is a true partnership between workers, employers, agents, AGC, and SAIF,” said Christy Witzke, vice president of marketing, sales, and communication at SAIF. “We are excited to be starting our 30th year of the AGC/SAIF program in October and look forward to many more years of getting construction workers home safely every day.”
About AGC
For nearly 100 years, the AGC Oregon-Columbia Chapter has been the premier professional association for contractors in Oregon and SW Washington, representing the best of the best in commercial construction. Together we’re setting the bar for quality and safety. We’re committed to enhancing the performance of our members, representing their interests, and building a better climate for construction.
About SAIF
SAIF is Oregon’s not-for-profit workers’ compensation insurance company. Since 1914, we’ve been taking care of injured workers, helping people get back to work, and striving to make Oregon the safest and healthiest place to work. For more information, visit the About SAIF page on saif.com.
