Nearly all of the savings came from workers compensation insurance premiums, Pack said. And Barrett Trailers is just one of scores of Oklahoma firms partnering with Oklahoma's 29 technology center districts to improve their safety ratings. They're also learning they can reap great savings in insurance costs, said Jim Roblyer, safety training coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education. Roblyer said workers' compensation insurance costs are a big ticket item for Oklahoma businesses. The programs are delivered through its network of 29 technology center districts.
Training is customized for each industry.
Roblyer said demand has jumped dramatically since FY 94, when the safety-training program was first offered. In FY 94 safety and training enrollments were just over 10,000, by FY 97 the figure was more than 65,000 and in FY 99 it was more than 125,000. Roblyer said business owners are attracted to safety and health training because it creates a safer work environment and also appeals to their bottom line. Roblyer also said that several technology centers are now specializing in areas of safety training.