Reduce Workers’ Compensation Claims By Teaching Your Team How To Stay Safe On The Job.
As your company grows and evolves, you invite new talent into your business: hiring employees, promoting individuals to new roles in the organization, and other changes in personnel. While you may be focused on skills-based training and leadership development during this time, what about worker safety and wellness?
Take the opportunity to reintroduce these concepts to current team members and train new employees so you can reduce the likelihood of workers’ compensation claims. Here are some safety training tips.
Play It Safe
Train employees to safely complete tasks based on their job requirements. This might include how to lift properly or how to turn a machine on and off. For employees who spend most of their days at a desk, remind them to stand at least every hour and focus on creating an ergonomic work environment.
Establish Emergency Protocols
Create a safety plan that outlines procedures for handling and reporting injuries and emergencies. Include first responders’ phone numbers. Require employees to read the plan and sign off that they agree to the protocol.
Specify Safety Gear
Be sure that employees are properly outfitted for their work. For example, some roles require wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), and many jobs demand specific footwear. Don’t assume your employees will come to work dressed for safety. Build this information into your employee handbook and review it with each team member.
Set Rules for Returning to Work
Establish a written return-to-work policy so employees understand expectations if they become injured and/or file a workers’ compensation claim. Talk to your insurance carrier about placing employees at a different location if you do not have appropriate modified work available. The key is to keep employees productive, which will increase the likelihood of them returning to work full time.
Post Signs and Labels
Prepare signage that can quickly be posted in case of spills. Properly post notices by hazardous materials such as stored chemicals or sharp tools. Refer to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for guidance regarding what signs should say. Deeley can be a resource here, as well.
Continue the Safety Conversation
Schedule regular tailgate meetings to keep your team focused on safety. Ask us how we can help. Deeley Insurance Group can arrange workplace training sessions, offer literature that you can provide to employees, and answer your claims questions. The reality is, businesses are always in transition. So the best way to prevent workers’ compensation claims is to make safety training a constant in your organization.
