RETIREMENT |
MIKE ROCCHIO: SAFETY ISN’T EXPENSIVE; IT’S PRICELESS
Looking back on the various careers Mike Rocchio has pursued throughout his life, his overarching calling is clear: teaching people how to stay safe. When MBIA had the opportunity to nominate someone for the 2021 Governor’s Achievement Award for Outstanding Workers’ Compensation Professional, outgoing Group Rewards Insurance Program (GRIP) Safety Specialist Rocchio was an obvious choice. And now, as he looks forward to his well-deserved retirement at the end of this year, we’d like to acknowledge not only his incredible contributions to MBIA, but his life of steadfast service to others. After graduating from college, this Minnesota native worked in the ore mining industry in his hometown of Hibbing until a recession forced layoffs. He then moved to Florida, where he used his bachelor’s degree in education to teach industrial arts to high school students for five years, while also serving as a reserve police officer. Moving back to Minnesota, he again worked for a couple of different mines while also volunteering as an EMT. “A guy I knew in the safety business said, ‘If you’re serious about working in safety, it doesn’t hurt to have an EMT certification on your resume.’” No stranger to hard work and long hours, Rocchio continued to volunteer as an EMT for twenty-five years. Eventually, Rocchio moved to Montana, where he and his wife, Kathy, have raised their three children and recently celebrated their fortieth anniversary. In 1989, he accepted a job as Safety Director at Montana Tunnels, an open-pit gold mine in Jefferson City. His main role was overseeing all
aspects of annual Mine Safety and Health Administration training for all employees. “My teaching background helped a lot there. I went from teaching kids to teaching adults,” said Rocchio. Additionally, he was directly involved with management in implementing early return-to-work programs, injury reporting, and modifying positions for crew. “I also ran the company ambulance. There weren’t a lot of accidents, but over fifteen years with that many people—up to 220 in the mine’s heyday—people do get hurt.” As a result of his work at Montana Tunnels, Rocchio was appointed by Governor Racicot to a committee that fleshed out the Montana Safety Culture Act (MSCA), which became law in the early 1990s. In 2005, Mike left the mine and joined the MBIA, where he has worked with thousands of Montana State Fund Workers’ Compensation policyholders to protect staff and fulfill the mission of the MSCA. Mike has spent the past sixteen years analyzing workers’ compensation data to help identify risks, providing safety training, and helping companies promote a culture of safety within their organizations
through MBIA’s Group Rewards Insurance Program. GRIP has saved over $6 million in retroactive premium returns to these Montana companies by not only maintaining, but vastly exceeding industry loss ratios. Even more impactful than the cost savings is the over 16,000 workers who have benefited from safety trainings and, as a result, continue to make it home safe every day to their families and loved ones. “In my opinion, one of the biggest benefits to MBIA members is the free training you can get through the GRIP program,” said Rocchio. “And the cost savings passed on to member companies gives them an incentive to keep their employees safe. Simply put, safety is profitable.” Contemplating his retirement, Rocchio is looking forward to having plenty of time for simple pleasures like ice fishing in the winter and growing tomatoes in the summer. Not one to slow down, he and his wife recently completed a seven-mile hike to Granite Park Lodge in Glacier National Park and look forward to exploring many other national parks together.
“ I really enjoy teaching and talking with people, and this job certainly gives me an opportunity to do that. And I never turn anyone down if they have any safety issues.”
MIKE ROCCHIO
MONTANA HOME EXPERTS
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