August 25, 2009

Five Ways to Help Your Clients Prevent On-the-Job Injuries

Why do some companies have fewer on-the-job injuries than others? Is it luck, the line of work they're in, or something else? 

Luck has nothing to do with it, and we can cite companies of all types that have enviable safety records. The difference is how they plan to prevent injuries.

You can help your clients cut losses due to on-the-job injuries and save money on insurance costs with a few timely suggestions. Here are five of the best.

1. Develop a Knowledge Base. Businesses need to know occupational safety and health laws and what best practices are for their industries. They must read studies developed about their industries, look for trends, and know the biggest safety hazards in their industries and study what their competitors are doing to address them.

2. Establish an Injury Prevention Culture. This is a top-down imperative. Senior managers and department managers must take the lead for this initiative and be accountable for developing and maintaining a culture that lives and breathes safety. They must spell out clear injury prevention responsibilities for employees at all levels.

3. Create Effective Injury Prevention Policies and Procedures. By knowing industry best practices for their own industry (from the Knowledge Base), companies must adapt those practices to fit their own unique needs, not simply copy procedures from another company. Policies and procedures must be based on measurable objectives. They must be communicated to, then be understood and followed by workers at all levels in the company.

4. Conduct Regular Reviews. Needs change over time, so employers must review on-the-job safety policies and procedures each year to ensure they continue to meet the needs of the company and its employees. Conduct safety drills and safety talks to keep this information in front of employees and ensure they understand and observe correct procedures.

5. Pay Attention to Ergonomics and Wellness. This includes workstation design, posture, lifting, vision, lighting, computer screens and ventilation factors. Try to reduce background noise and offer wellness programs that focus on healthy eating, exercise, smoking cessation and work/life balance.

Anchor Risk Management is always ready to help clients minimize risk and reduce losses. Contact Bill Propes at 469-892-9819, or email him at bpropes@combinedgroup.com for more information.

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