Tribune staff reports

The Indiana Public Employers’ Plan Inc. recently announced Jackson County as a recipient of its 2019 safety grant award.

IPEP partners with Jackson County Highway Superintendent Jerry Ault and agent David Moore of Moore and Shepherd Insurance in Seymour to maximize opportunities to promote a safe work environment and assist with stretching their risk management resources, according to a news release from IPEP.

The grant funds will be used to purchase safety equipment or safety training programs that will reduce or limit workers’ compensation exposure.

IPEP was created in 1989 as a risk-sharing pool for public entities as a response to the need for public employers to find affordable workers’ compensation coverage.

IPEP has grown to provide workers’ compensation claims administration for more than 700 public entities, including cities, towns, counties and schools.

Safety is an important part of the IPEP program. Protection of IPEP members in the workplace is the No. 1 goal.

The safety grants are being provided by IPEP to fortify its commitment to safety. Financial aid to members helps bolster their safety budget.