SAIF recognized as “stellar” Total Worker Health® affiliate

SAIF received an inaugural Stellar Affiliate Award for its internal and external efforts to promote Total Worker Health^® principles and practices.  

The award from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is "for leadership in championing worker safety, health, and wellbeing."

Dr. Casey Chosewood, director of the NIOSH Office for Total Worker Health®, presented the award at a gathering of NIOSH Total Worker Health® affiliates in Washington, D.C. on July 31 and August 1.

Liz Hill, Total Worker Health® adviser, represented SAIF and accepted the award on behalf of many others here who are part of this effort. SAIF was an early adopter of Total Worker Health® principles and the first workers' compensation insurance company to become a NIOSH TWH Affiliate in 2015.

The Stellar Affiliate Award is for outstanding commitment, engagement, and service to the Total Worker Health® approach. SAIF was recognized for: 

• Being one of the first organizations in the US to become an affiliate. We were the first insurance company and the 11th organization overall to earn the affiliate designation. There are now 44 affiliates. 
• Our longstanding commitment to integrating Total Worker Health® principles and practices into our internal efforts with our employees, as well as our consulting strategies with policyholders.  
• The Total Worker Health® alliance we formed in 2017 with Oregon OSHA and the Oregon Healthy Workforce Center at OHSU. 
• Co-developing the Total Worker Health® curriculum with these alliance partners to assist workplaces throughout the Pacific Northwest understand how to best support their employees' health, safety, and wellbeing. So far, we've helped to create two half-day courses, "Total Worker Health® 101" and "Worksite Solutions." More courses are in development.   

Our Total Worker Health® alliance with Oregon OSHA and OHSU is the only one like it in the nation, and Dr. Chosewood said NIOSH is hopeful other states will follow our lead.