State Fund Issues $540K to MBIA for Safety Efforts

Monday, August 12, 2019 | 0

Montana State Fund presented a check for $539,902 to the Montana Building Industry Association last week for the group’s workplace safety efforts.

MBIA implemented a Group Retention Insurance Program, or GRIP, which encourages worker safety at construction sites.

About 250 of MBIA's 1,500 members participate in GRIP, according to news reports. The program provides safety training as a way to reduce workplace accidents.

Montana is among states with the highest rates of workplace accidents and fatalities, Montana State Fund officials said, noting that the construction industry is one of the most dangerous.

The GRIP program has been in place since 1997, resulting in nearly $6 million in returns to policy holders, State Fund officials said.

About 1,500 workers participate in GRIP classes each year, which focus on topics such as forklift safety, first aid and CPR.