Workplace Safety Program

The Delaware Workplace Safety Program recognizes employers that invest in effective safety practices. This page provides guidance on eligibility, credits, and program requirements to help members understand participation and compliance.

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Supporting Safer Workplaces Across Delaware

The Delaware Workplace Safety Program promotes safer workplaces by recognizing employers that demonstrate effective safety practices. The program rewards qualifying employers with premium credits while supporting loss prevention and system stability across Delaware’s workers’ compensation market.

Employers that meet the premium qualification requirements receive advance notice from the Delaware Department of Insurance approximately seven months prior to policy renewal. The notice outlines the premium credit available for certified safety participation, along with the applicable inspection cost schedule.

Inspection criteria and process-related questions should be directed to the Delaware Department of Insurance.

Detailed program provisions are set forth in Section 1 (Underwriting Rules) of the Delaware Basic Manual.

Additional guidance is available below through the Delaware Workplace Safety Program Frequently Asked Questions.

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DE Insights on Exp. Rating Plan and Workplace Safety Updates

DE Insights on Exp. Rating Plan and Workplace Safety Updates

FAQs – General

WSP (Workplace Safety Program): A voluntary program offering premium credits to employers who complete certified safety inspections.
ERP (Experience Rating Plan): A mandatory program that adjusts your premium based on your past claim history. Your experience modification factor provided with ERP reflects your past claim history compared to similar businesses.

The Delaware Workplace Safety Program (DWSP) is a state-run initiative designed to reduce workplace injuries and help employers save money on workers’ compensation insurance premiums. It’s a voluntary program, but one that offers financial incentives in return for demonstrating a commitment to workplace safety.

FAQs – Eligibility & Definitions

The new threshold allows for more stable, small employers eligible for premium discounts. Many of those who did not qualify previously.

Generally, small businesses are those with annual premiums around or below $10,000. This includes employers newly eligible under the $5,000 over 3 years
threshold.

ERP Eligibility: Your business qualifies if it has at least $5,000 in workers’ comp premium over a rolling 3-year period.
WSP Eligibility: If you qualify for ERP, you automatically qualify for WSP.

FAQs – Application Process & Fees

If determined eligible, employers applying for the Delaware Workplace Safety Program (DWSP), are required to pay an inspection fee to participate. This fee is typically a flat rate per location and is not factored in workers compensation premium calculations. However, it should be considered when assessing the overall cost and potential savings of the program. The current inspection fee schedule is available on the Delaware Department of Insurance website.

The Delaware Department of Insurance (DOI) notifies eligible employers seven months prior to their workers’ compensation policy renewal date, providing detailed instructions for the application process. Employers must complete the application and submit the required inspection fee to initiate participation in the program.

FAQs – Benefits, Credits, & Premium Impact

Your standard premium multiplied by your E-mod (experience modifier). The WSP credit is then applied to that amount before any other adjustments.

Credits range from 0.5% to 6.2% of your modified premium. For example, if your modified premium is $10,000 and you receive a 6% WSP credit, you could save $600.

FAQs – Claims, Losses & Experience Rating

If a business has no losses during the experience period, it will always have an E-mod below 1.0. That’s known as a “loss-free” E-mod. The exact number depends on the size of the employer, but even small businesses typically see a reduction — often around 15% (a 0.85 E-mod) or lower for larger employers. It’s one of the clearest ways the system rewards strong safety performance.

Even one or two small claims can raise your E-mod, especially if your business is small. That’s why claim prevention is key.

FAQs – Program Changes & Recent Updates

Credits are now calculated using updated factors that more closely match your business size and claim history. Even if your WSP credit went down, your E-mod may have improved, which can offset the change.

Even if your safety credit was reduced, the improved experience rating likely helped offset that change. In most cases, the overall impact on your premium should be minimal. These updates were designed to work together to keep costs fair and stable and continuing to prioritize safety can further protect you from future premium increases.

If your business participates in the Workplace Safety Program (WSP), you may have noticed that the way premium credits are calculated has recently changed. For many employers, this has resulted in a lower safety credit compared to previous years. However, if your business has maintained a strong safety record with few or no claims, you likely received a larger credit through the experience rating program. This program automatically adjusts your premium based on your claims history and rewards safer businesses.

FAQs – Help & Support

For any additional support needs regarding the WSP or Experience Rating, you may reach out directly to the DCRB via ratinginquiry@dcrb.com or (215) 320-4421.

Contact the DCRB directly. We also offer educational materials and examples for employers and agents. You may reach out directly to us via ratinginquiry@dcrb.com or (215) 320-4421.