If you run a small business, there’s a guy you should meet.
He could save you some money.
Now that I have your attention, let me introduce Ron Langley, small-business liaison with the state Department of Labor and Industries.
He’s in a relatively new job that started last November. It’s designed to lessen the fear quotient attached to his agency and to raise understanding about it.
He can also help people prevent problems and hook others up with those who might help them.
“I’m an advocate for small business,” said Langley about his job.
And people who run small business, especially those without a history of worker accidents, probably can use his help.
Such businesses, Langley noted, can be devastated by a serious worker disability claim because they haven’t saved for it.
“It creates a crisis,” he said.
Since taking over his job, Langley has been talking to small-business groups and has learned a thing or two about his agency.
The bottom line is the business owners don’t believe they get any credit for trying to create a safe workplace. It’s further believed that the agency doesn’t understand or care about the problems of small business.
Langley said he’s trying to help the 2,700 people in his agency understand that.
And he’s also trying to get business leaders to understand his agency and what it does. Langley said he has been meeting with business groups for discussions, made a few speeches and listened to individuals who don’t understand what the agency does.
He’d like to do more of that. If you’re interested, call him at 360-902-4205.
He also wants people to know that the agency itself can help businesses make their workplaces much safer so that they don’t wind up with expensive injury claims.
“We’re interested in hearing the stories at the other end of the phone,” he said.
He also noted that many businesses don’t seem to know that they don’t have to wait for an agency inspection and its related fines to know if their workplaces have problems.
The agency will be glad to send an inspector by request. The good news is that the inspections won’t result in fines as long as the businesses agree to fix the problems found in the inspection.
Also, he noted that there are a number of educational programs out there for worker safety. Participation in one of those could exempt a business from inspections by labor and industries for at least a year as long as there are no complaints.
In addition to preventing problems, Langley calls himself a “quick source of assistance” for people with questions or problems. He also said businesses in Snohomish County should not hesitate to call Kerry Ivey, the administrator of the local office, at 425-290-1424.
Langley said his target group is those with businesses having 20 or fewer workers. That’s usually the size that is too small to hire someone to deal with worker safety and workplace injuries.
He said he can explain how the claim process works and connect people with someone at the agency who will help. “I will find someone and have them call you,” he said.
In addition to inspections, agency workers will also provide advice on how to lower risks by hiring the right people and looking at processes that will lower your claim risks.
It’s a tall order, but Langley appears up for the job.
Mike Benbow: 425-339-3459; benbow@heraldnet.com.
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