The Rhode Island Builders Association's new Workers' Compensation Program continues to come together under the leadership of Workers' Compensation Committee chairman Kenneth Jones.
Working with the Mass.-based Renaissance Group, Jones is spearheading the buildup of a program to provide the insurance at substantial savings to members.
"This is similar to what Renaissance has done for a Boston-area builders association," Jones said.
"We are working on a program of shared risk and reduced cost. Our eventual goal is to have a program with the advantages of self-insurance on a guaranteed cost policy," he added.
Many RIBA members will receive renewal notices for their current workers' compensation policies beginning in September, "But we hope they will switch to this cost-effective new RIBA-endorsed program," Jones said.
A solid plan from the Renaissance Group was on the table in early July.
"The Renaissance plan isn't just an insurance policy. It's a total plan to manage workers' compensation risk, reduce injuries and help employers gain control over this expensive benefit," said Lawrence Moore, CPCU, vice president for underwriting at the Renaissance Group.
"The plan combines traditional workers' compensation coverage with a proven strategy to minimize occupational injuries, manage medical care, and return injured workers promptly to the jobsite," Moore said.

Paul Eno is the owner and editor-in-chief of New River Press, Woonsocket and is the editor of the monthly RIBA newsletter, The Rhode Island Builder Report.