July 23, 2013; Peter Hirschfeld; Times Argus
MONTPELIER — State Auditor Doug Hoffer says Vermont isn’t doing enough to prevent the workplace injuries that have cost taxpayers nearly $40 million over the past five years.
A 55-page audit unveiled by Hoffer’s office on Monday details a host of shortcomings at the Office of State Employee Workers’ Compensation and Injury Prevention, the 15-person shop that oversees workers’ comp issues for the more than 6,000 state workers.
From poor record collecting to a failure to review the underlying causes of many workers’ comp claims, Hoffer said the state is squandering opportunities to minimize injuries that expose taxpayers to medical costs and employee compensation.
“State government’s most important asset is its workers, and they deserve a safe workplace,” Hoffer said. “In addition, taxpayers have a right to expect the state to make the investments necessary to reduce workforce injuries and related costs.”