State Fund Today
Chris Ross, Senior Vice President of our Safety and Health Services, brings more than 20 years of experience as a safety professional. Since his arrival, Chris has been instrumental in shaping and advancing our safety strategy, including the oversight of key policyholder services such as our online IIPP Builder℠, Safety University℠, and our Safety Equipment Grants Program.
We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Chris to catch up and learn more about his perspective on safety and what’s ahead at State Fund.
Q: Chris, thank you for taking the time to discuss the important role that Safety & Health plays with our brokers and policyholders.
A: The most exciting thing that we try to do is customize the experience for our policyholders with the safety information and resources that we provide to them. Our goal is simple: meet them where they are and provide tools that genuinely make a difference. Our team includes safety professionals, industrial hygienists, and ergonomics specialists.
Our website, www.SafeAtWorkCA.com, delivers resources, training, and compliance guidance. Tools like our IIPP BuilderSM help employers develop required safety programs tailored to their operations. At the same time, our Online Safety UniversitySM provides free employee training on topics such as basic safety, fall prevention, new-hire onboarding, and HR-related subjects. All these services are free of charge.
Q: Chris, could you please go into more detail about the IIPP Builder application?
A: Sure! Every employer in California with at least one employee must maintain an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP). Our IIPP BuilderSM makes it easy for policyholders to fulfill that requirement and keep their employees safe. The app guides employers through each step of the IIPP process—showing them what’s needed, why it matters, and how to create a compliant program tailored to their operations.
Q: Can you speak to the Safety Equipment Grants program available to policyholders?
A: One of the biggest barriers for employers in [roofing and framing] industries is the cost of safety equipment – especially fall-protection gear, which must be replaced over time. Our grant helps remove that barrier. We partner with employers to reduce the risk of falls and save lives. This program is also an important opportunity for brokers to get involved and encourage their State Fund clients to apply for a grant. There is nothing to repay, and the equipment is the policyholder’s to keep. It’s truly a win-win for everyone involved.
Q: What is another area of concern for our policyholders?
A: We’re seeing increased concern in construction and countertop fabrication around potential silica exposure. To help, our industrial hygienists proactively reach out to policyholders to offer on-site consultations and ergonomic evaluations. Our biggest impact often comes from simple, practical recommendations, like improving housekeeping to reduce the buildup of harmful silica dust.
Q: Do you have any additional thoughts that you’d like to share with our broker partners?
A: Yes, we partner with Cal/OSHA and the California Department of Public Health to provide the latest safety information to employers. Our website offers hundreds of training resources in both English and Spanish. We value our partnership with our brokers and remain committed to supporting safe workplaces throughout California.