Safety Smart$
The Safety Smart$ Program provides funds to be used for the mitigation, and prevention of future potential Workers’ Compensation claims. Each fiscal year, UM has been awarded funds to be used for this purpose. This program is managed by the University’s Occupational Health & Safety Officer, Trent Drinkwalter in Environmental Health and Safety Department.
Funds in the past have been used for a wide variety of requests, including infrastructure repairs to prevent slips, trips and falls, ergonomic workstation equipment such as chairs and desks, snow removal equipment, lift gates for UM service vehicles, emergency preparedness supplies, etc.
EHS plays a role with the Occupational Health & Safety Officer of EHS being on the Safety Smart$ Committee with Michele Wheeler, Manager of Workers’ Compensation, Jason Sloat, Director of Risk Management & Insurance and Ian Hamilton, Facilities Compound Manager. This committee reviews requests for Safety Smart$ funds and either approves or denies funds for these projects on a monthly basis.
Safety Smart$ fund request forms can be obtained from Trent Drinkwalter or Michele Wheeler. There are two forms used, one for projects under $20,000 and one for over $20,000.