CHEYENNE - The Senate Labor, Health and Social Services Committee unanimously approved the nomination of Gary Child as director of the state Department of Employment on Friday.

The vote followed questioning of Child regarding the department's workers' compensation program. The nomination now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

Gov. Dave Freudenthal nominated Child to the position after the resignation of Cindy Pomeroy. His nomination could have been forwarded to the full Senate without a committee interview, but several legislators wanted to question him.

Sen. John Hastert, D-Green River, told the Star-Tribune that based on comments Child made to the committee during a meeting last fall, it was unclear whether Child intended to find a replacement for his position as administrator of the Workers' Safety and Compensation Division.

In an e-mail to the Star-Tribune, Child clarified his position.

"I have deferred on appointing an Administrator for the Workers' Safety and Compensation Division until my confirmation as Director of the Department of Employment. Given I am confirmed, I will move to appoint my replacement," Child said.

Child told committee members on Friday morning he would "absolutely" select a new administrator for the workers' compensation program within the "next few weeks," and said he is already discussing the job with someone.

He didn't name the prospective candidate.

Child also fielded questions regarding concerns over the workers' compensation program. Hastert said lawmakers have received numerous complaints that the agency doesn't return calls to injured workers with claims.

Child said he has 48 "claims analysts" who are responsible for follow-up. Another senator asked whether the caseload for each analyst was too high.

Child said each analyst is responsible for about 286 cases.

"There has been a lot of discussion of late over that," Child testified.

Child said the agency is "in the ballpark" of what he considers a proper caseload. He said the caseload is "manageable."

"The bottom line: Everything seems to be manageable given the mix that we have," he said, referring to the type of cases each analyst is required to handle.

Sen. Charles Scott, R-Casper, said he is concerned that death benefits are too small.

Child said workers' compensation officials are looking at increases in death benefits and a cost-of-living adjustment on long-term benefits.

"Is the program perfect? No. There is always room for enhancements. But is it broken, and are we not providing services to injured workers? Absolutely not," Child told the committee.

Star-Tribune energy reporter Dustin Bleizeffer contributed to this report.