Dover – Delaware Department of Insurance (DOI) Commissioner, Karen Weldin Stewart, announced today an agreement with the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce (CDCC) whereby the CDCC will promote the Department’s Workplace Safety Program to its membership. By law, qualifying businesses that pass a DOI inspection can save up to19% on their annual workers’ compensation insurance premiums.  “We’re pleased to be working with the CDCC to bring this highly beneficial program to a great number of Delaware businesses that might not otherwise be aware of it,” said Commissioner Stewart. “Small businesses are the life’s blood of Delaware’s economy and the Workplace Safety Program operates to significantly cut one of their most substantial costs of doing business.”

The Workplace Safety Program was created over twenty years ago to help employers with exposure in Delaware establish and maintain safer than average workplaces and save money on their workers’ compensation insurance premiums as a result. By undergoing a safety audit conducted by independent experts, eligible employers enhance the safety and health of their employees and receive the discount. 

The CDCC will promote the Workplace Safety Program through 3 different media outlets; its Chamber Connections newspaper, its electronic news bulletin, and on its website.  These initiatives will bring the Workplace Safety Program to the attention of the Chamber’s nearly 900 member businesses. CDCC members qualifying for the program can potentially save thousands in annual premiums. To date in 2009, participating Delaware businesses have saved over $6 million in workers’ compensation premiums. 

“We are thrilled to promote the Workplace Safety Program being offered by the Delaware Insurance Commissioner’s Office.  This program will provide our members with the opportunity as employers to earn discounts up to 19% on their workers’ compensation premiums,” stated Judy Diogo, President of the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce. “We worked with the other Chambers in the State to get legislation passed in the recent years to help reduce our members’ workers’ compensation costs overall and now they have this program to help reduce those costs even further.  We see this as a great benefit to our members.”

Information about the Workplace Safety program, including applications for businesses, can be found on the DOI website at http://delawareinsurance.gov/departments/safety/wrksafety.shtml  Applications must be received by the DOI 5 to 7 months before an applicant’s policy renews. 

More information about the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce can be obtained by visiting the Chamber’s website at www.cdcc.net.

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Contacts:
Elliott Jacobson (302) 674-7303; (202) 294-3266 cell
Michael Gould (302) 674-7304