Section 129.702. Accident and illness prevention services providers requirements

(a) A workers’ compensation insurer, individual self-insured employer or group self-insurance fund shall directly employ accident and illness prevention services providers or shall retain contracted accident and illness prevention services providers who meet the requirements as described in this section to provide accident and illness prevention services.

(b) An individual providing accident and illness prevention services as an employee or contracted accident and illness prevention services provider shall supply annual proof of current credentials and experience to the insurer, individual self-insured employer or group self-insurance fund.

(c) An insurer, individual self-insured employer or group self-insurance fund administrator shall be responsible for reviewing the documentation or evidence to support that the requirements for accident and illness prevention services providers are being met according to the criteria in subsection (d). Verification that requirements have been met by all employed or contracted accident and illness prevention services providers utilized to provide accident and illness prevention services during the reporting period shall be submitted to the Bureau as part of the annual reports.

(d) An individual shall be recognized as an accident and illness prevention services provider within the meaning of section 1001(a) and (b) of the act (77 P. S. § 1038.1(a) and (b)) and this subchapter, by providing verification that the individual meets one or more of the following requirements:

(1) An educational degree or credential recognized by the Bureau in accident and illness prevention fields from accredited institutions or programs and at least 2 years of acceptable experience as set forth in subsection (e).

(2) A credential recognized by the Bureau from a professional organization in the field of accident and illness prevention and at least 2 years of acceptable experience as set forth in subsection (e).

(3) A credential from an industry-specific accident and illness prevention program recognized by the Bureau and at least 2 years of acceptable experience as set forth in subsection (e). Holders of recognized credentials will be restricted to the delivery of accident and illness prevention services as defined by the specific program within a given industry.

(e) The 2 years of accident and illness prevention experience required in subsection (d) shall include current, full-time professional experience providing accident and illness prevention services which accounts for at least 60% of the individual’s activities. Acceptable activities include: identifying hazards; conducting safety and health surveys; proposing corrective actions; analyzing accident causes; and recommending or providing industrial hygiene and industrial health surveys and consultations.

(f) The Bureau will maintain a listing of recognized organizational credentials. Inquiries may be made to the Bureau for current information reflecting additions or deletions to that listing.

(g) An insurer, individual self-insured employer or group self-insurance fund can request in-service status for a services provider utilized to provide services for a given reporting period, but who does not meet Bureau requirements as outlined in subsection (d) and has not been previously granted in-service status. Providers granted in-service status shall have 5 years from the filing date of the annual report in which the request for in-service status was made to meet Bureau requirements as outlined in subsection (d). The activities of accident and illness prevention services providers claiming in-service status shall be directed by a services provider who meets the requirements of this subchapter during the 5-year period in which a recognized credential is being earned and required experience is being obtained. After that 5-year period, an individual who has not met Bureau requirements and submitted acceptable proof to the Bureau, through the employing or contracting insurer, individual self-insured employer or group self-insurance fund may not be recognized as an accident and illness prevention services provider for purposes of the act.

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 129.2 (relating to definitions).