Bermuda reinsurer Everest Re Group has formed a strategic partnership with a firm pioneering a hi-tech system aimed at reducing workplace injuries.

The partnership with industry veterans Glen Welch and Todd Welch will be known as Salus Systems, LLC and will develop and market Zero, a collaborative risk management platform.

Bill Thygeson, Everest’s chief administrative officer, whose responsibilities include oversight of loss control, said: “US employers spend more than $1 billion each week on non-fatal workplace injuries. Eight of the top ten causes of these injuries can be mitigated using this technology.

“Zero will help smaller companies attain the safety and protection status of the largest companies at a fraction of the cost. And larger companies can more effectively and efficiently establish, improve, and sustain a strong safety culture and improved workplace performance.”

Zero creates a channel for workers to communicate instantly with their management to report potential safety issues and risk mitigation best practices.

It also features a peer-to-peer, inter-company sharing platform for safety-minded company leaders to create a community with others to share information and improve overall safety practices.

Salus Systems will market the Zero system directly to safety-conscious companies and to Everest Insurance insureds.

Jonathan Zaffino, president of Everest’s North American insurance operations, said: “Zero engages businesses with key features of the sharing economy by empowering individuals linked via a mobile device.

“A company using this system, working independently — or together with other like-minded companies — can impact the number of incidents and lower overall insurance costs.”

Todd Welch and Glen Welch, co-founders of Charter Partners, created Zero as a safety and risk management tool for business owners.

“Workers and owners share a mutual interest: keeping employees safe in the workplace,” Todd Welch said.

“We created Zero to bring transparency to risk management and safety. This technology platform can provide awareness, instant communication, and access to knowledge for workers and management.”