In essence, you will save on worker compensation expenses if you prioritize workplace safety, manage claims well and if you optimize your insurance policy.
About 2.6 million U.S. workers in 2023 were hurt on the job costing billions of dollars. Businesses have a moral and legal obligation to promote safety.
Here’s how:
Prevent, minimize injuries —
To have a strong safety culture, your management style must lead by example. Make certain to hold all your employees accountable in maintaining safety procedures, and help your employees to feel comfortable about reporting hazards.
Your employees must be repeatedly trained on safety procedures, especially your new hires. Training sessions can be done in-house, via an online platform or by bringing in a certified instructor – whatever meets a facility’s schedule and budget. Regardless of how employees are trained, managers must understand that safety initiatives are not a one-time event, but rather an ongoing commitment.
Regularly schedule workplace inspections. That includes your equipment and work areas. Look for potential hazards to fix immediately.
Implement a comprehensive matting system — According to the National Floor Safety Institute, a slip and fall accident occurs every eight seconds, making it a key focus during National Safety Month. To help protect against slips and falls, strategically place matting around entryways to prevent water and debris from entering the building. Additionally, safety matting provides increased traction in high traffic areas of a facility where slip and fall accidents frequently occur. While proper placement of matting is key, facility managers should also ensure that matting is regularly laundered to properly capture and remove contaminants.
HR and Managing the Behavioral Health of Your Employees
Be certain your employees wear and use protective equipment — protective eyewear, gloves and harnesses.
Limit employee exposure to chemical concentrates — by implementing a comprehensive chemical dispensing system, facility managers can safeguard against the painful burns and eye injuries associated with cleaning solution accidents. Frequently, the manual dilution of chemicals will cause hazardous liquids to splash into eyes or onto skin, causing painful burns. Or worse, the accidental mixing of chemicals can lead to dangerous fumes and even death.
Take steps to reduce musculoskeletal injuries and repetitive stress by upgrading your equipment, tools and work areas.
Prepare for possible sudden cardiac arrest — according to the Anerican Heart Association, sudden cardiac arrest claims more than 430,000 lives each year. Maket available Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) and employees are properly trained in their use. Along with purchasing an AED, the facility must also establish a service maintenance program to ensure the unit is always up-to-date and functioning properly.
Stock appropriate first aid and medical supplies —While not all workplace accidents are completely preventable, many can be effectively treated with the contents of a customized first aid cabinet. A well-stocked cabinet should contain products to treat lacerations, soothe burns and ease pain.
Provide wellness programs — fitness, stress management and nutrition.
Effectively manage claims —
Provide immediate care for injured employees to prevent skyrocketing claims. If you don’t, data shows a two-week delay increases your costs 18 percent.
For your return-to-work program for recovering employees, plan light-duty or modified assignments. This will help limit the duration of their claims, return them to work sooner, and will reduce lost wages. All of this will reduce your Experience Modification Rate (EMR) — the number that will adjust your workers’ compensation insurance premiums.
Identify potential fraudulent claims and thoroughly investigate all claims.
Maintain a close partnership with occupational health clinics and your insurance company. This will help your injured employees to receive the best-possible medical care.
Actively manage your insurance policy —
Periodically review your EMR in an effort to reduce your costs.
Review your job classification codes every year to make certain they’re accurate. This will help keep your premiums as low as possible.
Save money by paying as you go. It will prevent large upfront payments.
Inquire about possible discounts for a drug-free workplace, install strong safety programs and participate in managed-care networks. You might be able to participate in a premium dividend progam.
Find a knowledgeable broker who can find you the best policy and cost-saving opportunities.
Conclusion
Safety itself is a cheap and effective workers’ comp insurance policy. Besides, safety is the right thing to practice.
From the Coach’s Corner, here are additional management articles:
Avoid EEOC Legal Hassles over Unpaid Leave Requirements — You might want to review your current human resource policies. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has continued to push employers on unpaid leave under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
10 Tips to Plan for Your Critical Discussions with Employees — Careful planning is necessary before you give an employee an appraisal or in advance of terminating the person. Here are 10 tips.
HR: Effectively Manage ADA Issues in Your Facilities — Disabled persons have had both valid and invalid complaints about the workplace. Such complaints concern your facilities and human resources program. Here are strategies to consider implementing.
Safety glasses: All in favor say “Eye!”
__________
