[upbeat drums and electric guitar]

(Preferred Worker Program Worksite Modification Consultant Brian Nease)
The Preferred Worker Program is part of the Oregon Workers' Compensation Division and our role is to help previously injured workers, who can no longer return to the job they had when they were injured, help them to return to the workforce.

(Reach Break Brewing Sales Distribution Manager Josh Allison)
I learned about preferred workers after my injury. I was notified I was automatically eligible for the benefits due to my injury and my work restrictions. I used to be a fish biologist and had an on-the-job injury. I was walking the stream, broke my ankle really bad, and after a couple years of surgeries the doctors actually decided to proceed with the amputation and so I lost my right foot about mid-calf, and for a couple years doing rehab with a prosthetic, and looking at getting back into the workforce.

(Brian Nease)
Josh showed me around the brewery, we talked about specific job duties that might put him at risk for re-injury and then we discussed what we can provide through the program that will allow that to get done but safely.

(Josh Allison)
We were able to identify some lighter-weight kegs that I can lift a little bit easier, have a keg dolly to transport kegs. We have a lift that allows me to lift heavy goods and a delivery van to transport kegs and bottles from the brewery to outside tap rooms and outside wholesale accounts. The tools and equipment that the Preferred Worker Program has provided have been amazing.

They've been tools that I don't know if I could have done this otherwise. Definitely improved my quality of life both in the workplace and in my personal life. 

(Brian Nease)
Workers who have been injured, call us to see if maybe if you're eligible and employers if you're looking to hire we've got over 28,000 preferred workers in the state. They may not all be looking for work but those who do are going to come with work experience, they're going to come with all these benefits, and we can help to connect you to them.

Preferred Worker Program
www.oregonpwp.org
800-452-0288 (toll free)