Are You Aware?
“Injuries happen, but it’s how you respond that will dictate the outcome,” writes Samuel Edwards in the article, “How Employers Should Respond to Workplace Injuries,” for Inc.com. Unfortunately on a jobsite, injuries may occur. However, the efficient response of employer and employees is significant.
A timely response not only impacts an injured employee’s medical care, it also aids in future injury prevention. Common injuries within industrial jobs include: overexertion; slip, trip and fall injuries; vehicular accidents; repetitive motion injuries; and machine entanglement. When a non-life threatening injury occurs, a supervisor should immediately be informed and the employee should be sent for medical assistance or provided on-site first aid. After this, the chain of command for your business’s reporting should be followed. The employee should focus on healing, so he can return to work in a timely manner.
Are You Prepared?
Educating employees on how to respond to an onsite injury should be a part of every company’s safety program. In general these steps should be followed after the occurrence of any jobsite injury.
- Provide first aid to injured party or call 9-1-1 in the case of an emergency (i.e. machine entanglement, amputation, falling from heights, inability to speak or breathe, unconscious).
– Employees should know where to find onsite first aid kits and be trained in the usage of first response equipment, such as an automated external defibrillator (AED), if available.
– Consider a basic CPR course for all employees.
– If necessary, transport injured person to a medical facility. - Secure the scene.
– Limit access in case an investigation is necessary.
– Secure and save any equipment involved in the accident. - File appropriate reports.
– This includes Supervisor’s Incident Report and the First Report of Injury as well as any other necessary documents.
– OSHA, MSHA and other organizations should be notified if applicable. See OSHA guidelines for reporting an injury.
A company’s preparedness in response to an onsite injury is important. A BizJournal article on workplace injuries claims, “Employers are able to influence many factors that contribute to injured worker’s satisfaction levels, confidence, return-to-work outcomes and claim costs.” While an injury-free workplace is the ultimate goal, employees rely on their employer’s proactive assurance that injuries will be handled swiftly and effectively.
What Next?
Once the employee is receiving medical treatment and the appropriate paperwork has been filed, the next step is to develop a return to work program. This modified duty program should be readied and explained to the employee once a doctor determines the employee’s work restrictions. Returning an employee to work in a timely and efficient manner is desirable. However, if a time loss injury has occurred, the employee should be informed how to receive his compensation while unable to work.
Finally, reiterate the company safety focus to all employees. A clear plan, focused on medical treatment and an employee’s return to work, will send the message that safety is a priority.
The Berkley Industrial Comp Difference
At Berkley Industrial Comp it is our goal to help injured workers return to their normal life and everyday job as quickly as possible. Our RESOLUTION specialists are here to aid you and your employees through every step following an injury.
Once an accident has been reported and all appropriate paperwork has been submitted by the management team, a Berkley RESOLUTION specialist will promptly call the injured employee. Together with medical professionals, including Berkley’s on staff nurse, we will follow the case to ensure all standards are being met. If narcotics are necessary, we will monitor the prescription usage. When the employee is able to return to work, we will work with you to explain their modified duty program (if applicable). If the worker is unable to return for a time period, we will inform them how to receive their compensation. Until the claim is closed, Berkley Industrial Comp will work closely with the injured party and the employer.