WSIA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 12, 2014

OLYMPIA – Workplace safety, employee wellness, getting injured workers back to work, and managing the often high cost of workplace injuries are all on the agenda as over 335 members of the Washington Self-Insurers Association (WSIA) gather this week at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center for the group’s 43rd annual conference. WSIA is the statewide employer organization representing the workplace safety and workers’ compensation interests of major Washington employers who self-insure their risk of industrial injury.

After a golf tournament Wednesday afternoon, the conference kicks off Thursday with a series of general sessions and breakaway learning labs. A panel discussion on political and legislative affairs, featuring new WSIA Executive Director Kris Tefft and WSIA’s lobbying team, will be followed by a series of issue-focused educational presentations, an awards luncheon, and a speech by Joel Sacks, Director of the Department of Labor & Industries.

At Thursday’s luncheon, longtime WSIA member Bob Haugen, formerly of Nordstrom and now risk manager of Tri Marine, will be awarded the association’s Chet Diehl Award for outstanding service to the self-insured community.

Friday morning’s agenda features the conference keynote by Dr. Stanley Herring, a noted Seattle sports and rehabilitative medicine physician and team doctor for WSIA member Seattle Seahawks, “Learning to Fly the Seahawk Way.” Attendees will also focus on worksite wellness and controlling workers’ comp fraud.

WSIA members will also have the opportunity both days to engage and interact with over 40 vendors and exhibitors presenting new practices, goods and services related to accident prevention, employee wellness, and claims management. 

About the Washington Self-Insurers Association
The Washington Self-Insurers Association was founded in 1972 to educate and advocate on statewide issues related to workplace safety and workers’ compensation. Approximately one in three Washington employees is covered by a self-insured workers’ compensation program, and WSIA’s mission is to help members successfully implement and operate self-insurance programs, to keep Washington employees safe, healthy, and working. WSIA members include major public and private sector employers, such as cities, counties, hospitals, public and private schools, non-profit charities, and many of our state’s most visible and iconic companies and brands. For more information, visit www.wsiassn.org. 

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