Even the safest organization will experience a workplace injury from time to time, whether a cut requiring stitches, a strain from repetitive actions or a broken bone from a fall. To help protect your employees and business, implement a prevention and reaction plan.

Preventing Workplace Injuries — Implementing an Injury Prevention Program

 

An injury prevention program is a proactive process to help your business find and fix hazards before employees are injured, and for good reason. According to OSHA, more than 4.1 million workers suffer a serious job-related injury or illness.

Preventing workplace injuries is not only important from a physical health standpoint. A study by the Institute for Work and Health showed that of workers who missed at least five days of work due to work-related injuries, half frequently felt symptoms of depression in the year following their injuries.

OSHA recommends implementing a program with the following elements to help your franchise reduce the risks of employee injuries:

  • Management leadership—Involve stakeholders at all levels of management to help keep everyone on the same page.
  • Worker participation—Keep employees engaged in the franchise’s risk management efforts. Establish a safety committee or incentive program and create posters, handouts and more.
  • Hazard identification and assessment—Encourage all employees and managers to note potential workplace hazards and create a regular schedule to assess the various hazards.
  • Hazard prevention and control—Create an environment of collaboration by encouraging employees to share their ideas or “near misses” at shift meetings. Implement an incentive program for employees who notice hazards and act to remedy the situation.
  • Education and training—Implement a program to provide initial and ongoing training for all employees.
  • Program evaluation and improvement—Create an open communication channel for safety and program improvements.

Preparing for Workplace Injuries with Workers’ Compensation

With the implementation of an injury prevention program, you can reduce the number of injuries your employees experience. But incidents can still occur, so it is important to have workers’ compensation coverage in place.

Workers’ compensation insurance provides benefits coverage to your employees in the event of a work-related injury or illness. Common incidents covered under workers’ compensation include:

  • Slip-and-fall accidents resulting in injuries
  • Back injuries due to lifting or overexertion
  • Repetitive stress injuries (such as carpal tunnel)
  • Injuries that occur during travel for work (not including commuting)

In some cases, serious accidents and injuries can occur on the job. Even with the best training and safety precautions, workers may have a work-related injury or illness that results in:

  • Hospitalization
  • Rehabilitation
  • Accidental death
  • Dismemberment
  • Paralysis
  • Permanent disability

With workers’ compensation, these injured workers can receive funds for their medical expenses and partial lost wages, in return for agreeing not to file a claim against the employer. Death benefits may also apply for cases where a work injury or illness leads to the death of an employee.

In cases where an injured employee does file a claim, workers’ compensation can also cover the costs of defending your business from the lawsuit.

Preventing and Preparing for Workplace Injuries with Help from Lockton Affinity

With a Workers’ Compensation policy from Lockton Affinity, you can get the coverage you need to ensure your business is fully protected. Contact Lockton Affinity’s dedicated insurance representatives to get coverage for your franchise today.