SHIMS allows Customs managers' for the first time - to access safety statistics and evaluate accident trends in order to take corrective action.

The agency's rollout of SHIMS has three phases:

Phase 1
Currently, when an injury or work-related disease or illness occurs, employees complete "paper" forms to file the appropriate workers' compensation claims. They use form CA-1 to report a traumatic injury occurring on one workday or shift, or form CA-2 to report an occupational disease produced in the work environment over a period longer than one workday or shift. Employees submit the forms to their supervisors who complete their portion. Supervisors also complete the newly implemented Safety Investigation Data Form and provide all forms to Customs ICCs who mail the appropriate documentation to the Department of Labor (DOL). In addition, supervisors fax copies of workers' compensation and accident investigation forms to HRM's Safety Branch who input the data into SHIMS for statistical and reporting purposes.

Phase 2
In early 2003, employees and supervisors will receive step-by-step instructions on how to access and use SHIMS to report work-related injuries and other safety incidents.

The orientation will include a variety of media such as fact sheets, flyers, Intranet postings, and wallet-sized cards; local ICCs and safety managers will be available to answer questions about the new system.

After the orientation period, employees and supervisors will access SHIMS on the Customs Intranet and complete electronic forms, which will be assigned a tracking number. Employees will complete the appropriate forms on-line, print and sign them, and provide to their supervisors.

Supervisors will access SHIMS and complete their portion, print and sign the forms, and provide to the ICCs to mail to DOL. Since the accident data will have been entered into SHIMS, supervisors will no longer fax copies to the Safety Branch.

Phase 3
Sixty to 90 days after employees and supervisors begin entering workers' compensation claims into SHIMS, Customs ICCs who track and monitor employee claims will begin submitting claims data electronically to DOL. Employees and supervisors will continue to complete their sections of the on-line forms and provide signed copies as in phase 2.

Look for further information about using SHIMS in the near future.

SHIMS, a Treasury system, will become the only method for employees to file for workers' compensation benefits and for supervisors and ICCs to forward claims to the DOL for processing. The increased speed and accuracy expected from this Web-based system will greatly enhance the timeliness of submission of claims to DOL; provide managers, supervisors, and employees access to safety data; and furnish Customs with a mechanism for performing analysis of injury trends and safety incidents.