Direct costs of workplace injuries are easy to identify. The indirect costs such as training costs for replacement staff, administrative time, legal issues, increased workers’ compensation premiums, lowered staff morale, etc. can be more difficult to identify and result in costs greater than the direct costs. Indirect costs can impact a business’s bottom line for many years following the injury.
Safety – Workers’ Compensation
Synergisity offers several services to support safety for your business. From development of safety programs to employee training, Synergisity strives to support your business in the manner that best fits your needs. What safety challenges are you facing? Synergisity’s goal is to uncomplicate the process and guide you to proven strategies to minimize risk to your business.
The main goals of a safety program are to provide a safe working environment, meet legal requirements and contain costs. A quality safety program establishes roles and expectations for employees. The program will establish guidelines to respond to accidents and injuries; for training, monitoring and compliance; provide a mechanism for open communication, continual improvement and to eliminate and manage risks.
To be effective, all employees must know their roles and expectations of the safety program. Although this is a simplified overview, the importance of the deliberation, risk assessments, preparation and training are critical to developing a successful program.
Contact Synergisity today to learn more.
To be effective, all employees must know their roles and expectations of the safety program. Although this is a simplified overview, the importance of the deliberation, risk assessments, preparation and training are critical to developing a successful program.
Contact Synergisity today to learn more.
Your safety policy is the foundation of a safe-workplace culture. This policy demonstrates a commitment to a safe working environment by providing a set of policies and procedures outlining processes to minimize risk of injury, work more safely and productively. Each business’s safety policy is unique to their industry and processes. There is no one-size fits all policy to apply, and the policy will continually evolve as your business grows and changes.
When developing your safety policy, stress safety is each individual’s responsibility and solicit employee input for a more effective policy. The key components to include in your policy include: accident reporting; accident investigations; hazard communication program including Safety Data Sheets (“SDS”); expectations for maintenance of emergency exits and equipment; personal protective equipment; safe operation of equipment and tools; hazard prevention controls/safe work practices; substance abuse; workplace violence prevention; emergency action plan; training and education; communication of safety issues; recordkeeping; and enforcement.
Depending on your industry, you may need to include policies for job hazard analysis, electrical safety, fall protection, confined space, hearing conservation, driver safety, bloodborne pathogens, spill prevention and response, along with many others. In addition to reducing risk of employee injury, an effective safety policy that includes regular training and enforcement provides a solid base for defending negligence and liability claims.
Contact Synergisity today to for assistance developing your safety policy.
Depending on your industry, you may need to include policies for job hazard analysis, electrical safety, fall protection, confined space, hearing conservation, driver safety, bloodborne pathogens, spill prevention and response, along with many others. In addition to reducing risk of employee injury, an effective safety policy that includes regular training and enforcement provides a solid base for defending negligence and liability claims.
Contact Synergisity today to for assistance developing your safety policy.
Most businesses don’t realize they have the ability to contain their workers’ compensation costs. Many have the impression “the insurance handles it” and it is out of their control. Employers can partner with their insurance provider to team up on managing the claim; ensuring the injured employee’s needs are met; and returning the injured employee back to light-duty work as quickly as possible, among other proactive measures. Costs can be reduced significantly when the employer takes control and is actively involved.
Best practice measures to contain workers’ compensation costs start with a solid safety policy which includes ongoing training and education with a focus on accident avoidance and prevention. Establish protocols with occupational clinics which include offering light-duty, return-to-work opportunities. Thereby reducing lost-time payouts.
Report injuries and investigate incidents without delay. Delays in reporting claims (lag) have been shown to increase claims cost significantly (see link below) and create increased potential for litigation. A two-week delay in reporting increases the claim cost 18%, 3 weeks 29% and 5 weeks 45%. Meaning, a $5,000 claim equates to $5,900 after two weeks, $6,450 after three weeks and $7,250 after five weeks of delayed reporting.
Additionally, delays increase the potential for litigation. Injuries reported within ten days have an increased litigation risk of 22%, after a month the risk increases to 47%. The additional costs due to lag, likely, will result in insurance premium increases that will only decline following three to five years of improved claim performance.
Partner with your workers’ compensation provider and ensure they receive all status updates. Stay in communication with the injured employee and ensure their questions are addressed and they are receiving the care they need. Staying in touch and meeting the needs of the injured employee reduces the likelihood they will pursue litigation. Establish pre-employment and post-accident drug screening and train an emergency response team in CPR/AED and First Aid. Many workers’ compensation providers offer discounts when these two preventative measures are in place.
Contact Synergisity today to for assistance in containing your workers’ compensation costs.
Best practice measures to contain workers’ compensation costs start with a solid safety policy which includes ongoing training and education with a focus on accident avoidance and prevention. Establish protocols with occupational clinics which include offering light-duty, return-to-work opportunities. Thereby reducing lost-time payouts.
Report injuries and investigate incidents without delay. Delays in reporting claims (lag) have been shown to increase claims cost significantly (see link below) and create increased potential for litigation. A two-week delay in reporting increases the claim cost 18%, 3 weeks 29% and 5 weeks 45%. Meaning, a $5,000 claim equates to $5,900 after two weeks, $6,450 after three weeks and $7,250 after five weeks of delayed reporting.
Additionally, delays increase the potential for litigation. Injuries reported within ten days have an increased litigation risk of 22%, after a month the risk increases to 47%. The additional costs due to lag, likely, will result in insurance premium increases that will only decline following three to five years of improved claim performance.
Partner with your workers’ compensation provider and ensure they receive all status updates. Stay in communication with the injured employee and ensure their questions are addressed and they are receiving the care they need. Staying in touch and meeting the needs of the injured employee reduces the likelihood they will pursue litigation. Establish pre-employment and post-accident drug screening and train an emergency response team in CPR/AED and First Aid. Many workers’ compensation providers offer discounts when these two preventative measures are in place.
Contact Synergisity today to for assistance in containing your workers’ compensation costs.
Establishing a formal return-to-work program allows workers who are unable to perform their usual and customary task due to an injury to temporarily perform in a limited, light-duty or modified capacity during recovery. This program allows workers to transition back to full duty and reduce lost time from work. Implementing a return-to-work program results in immediate claim cost savings and demonstrates care and concern. It shows the injured employee that you value their well being and want them back on the job as soon as possible. Benefits of a return to work program include the following.
• Improves your ability to manage an injury claim and any restrictions.
• Returns experienced employees back to work.
• Reduces financial impact of workplace injuries.
• Reduces impact of injury on worker’s compensation premiums.
• Reduces injured employee’s absences by 3.6 weeks.
• Provides a proactive approach to cost containment.
• Most accommodations cost the employer NOTHING.
• Exhibits employee safety and health as core organizational values.
• Creates better employee relations.
• Demonstrates the employer cares about the employee’s welfare.
• Gives the injured employee a sense of security and stability.
• Injured employee retains full earning capacity.
• Injured employee maintains a regular work schedule.
• Injured employee maintains a productive mindset.
• Improves Morale.
• Injured employee maintains their social connections and sense of purpose.
• Discourages fraudulent claims.
• Reduces litigation.
• An employee that feels taken care of is less likely to seek legal claims.
• Keeps employee active and speeds up the healing process.
• Reduces cost of overtime and replacement workers.
Contact Synergisity today to for assistance in developing your return-to-work program.
• Returns experienced employees back to work.
• Reduces financial impact of workplace injuries.
• Reduces impact of injury on worker’s compensation premiums.
• Reduces injured employee’s absences by 3.6 weeks.
• Provides a proactive approach to cost containment.
• Most accommodations cost the employer NOTHING.
• Exhibits employee safety and health as core organizational values.
• Creates better employee relations.
• Demonstrates the employer cares about the employee’s welfare.
• Gives the injured employee a sense of security and stability.
• Injured employee retains full earning capacity.
• Injured employee maintains a regular work schedule.
• Injured employee maintains a productive mindset.
• Improves Morale.
• Injured employee maintains their social connections and sense of purpose.
• Discourages fraudulent claims.
• Reduces litigation.
• An employee that feels taken care of is less likely to seek legal claims.
• Keeps employee active and speeds up the healing process.
• Reduces cost of overtime and replacement workers.
Contact Synergisity today to for assistance in developing your return-to-work program.
Proper and regular staff training plays an integral role in reducing workers’ compensation costs. Regular training is necessary to ensure employees are aware. Reeducation improves results and fosters a culture of safety mindedness. Reeducation training is recommended annually with the exception of Hazardous Communication and CPR/AED and First Aid. OSHA guidelines require annual Hazardous Communication training and CPR/AED and First Aid certifications are valid for two years.
Synergisity is proud to offer training for Safety Awareness, Accident Avoidance, Safe Driving Habits and Proactive Skills, Proper Lifting, Ergonomic Injury Avoidance, Hazardous Communication (SDS), Accident Investigations, CPR/AED, First Aid certifications, and Blood-borne Pathogens.
Contact Synergisity today to schedule your safety training.
Synergisity is proud to offer training for Safety Awareness, Accident Avoidance, Safe Driving Habits and Proactive Skills, Proper Lifting, Ergonomic Injury Avoidance, Hazardous Communication (SDS), Accident Investigations, CPR/AED, First Aid certifications, and Blood-borne Pathogens.
Contact Synergisity today to schedule your safety training.