In this week's issue, National Underwriter profiles the three winners from the fourth annual “NU Award For Excellence in Workers' Comp Risk Management” program, sponsored by NCCI.

The 2010 winners and links to their individual profiles are:

o Champion: American Electric Power Company, cited for its integrated disability management recovery center and its “zero harm” loss control policy.

o Honorable Mention: Flextronics, cited for its emphasis on accountability and its willingness to invest where needed in loss control and risk management, despite a tough economy.

o Honorable Mention: Nissan North America, cited for its effort to revamp its safety and return-to-work programs without reinventing the wheel, and its efforts to pass workers' comp reform legislation.

“All three winners are role models for their peers,” according to NU Editor in Chief Sam Friedman. “Their efforts to maintain a high profile in risk management at a time when so many companies are focused on cutting short-term costs at the expense of long-term gains is extraordinary. Their efforts will hopefully spur others to follow in their footsteps.”

The three winners will receive their awards from Mr. Friedman and an NCCI official during a special ceremony at the Workers' Compensation Educational Conference in Orlando on Aug. 16, where NU puts together a National Trends program.

The trio of winning organizations will then share more of the secrets of their success during a panel discussion led by Mr. Friedman and an NCCI representative on Aug. 17. Highlights of that roundtable on loss control, safety and risk management will appear in the Oct. 25 edition of NU.

If you have a unique risk management approach or success story in how to better handle workers' comp costs and exposures, please enter next year's award program. Entry material will be available in February 2011 from Mr. Friedman at [email protected].