workers' compensation Archives

Preventing Workman’s Compensation Claims

Workman’s compensation claims are a fact of business life, especially when the work involved is primarily physical. Unfortunately, they take a serious toll on your company’s operations. First and foremost is the temporary or permanent injury to the affected employee. In addition, they cause losses in terms of work interruptions, turnover and increased insurance premiums.

While it’s impossible to eliminate all accidents, there are measures you can take to reduce the number of claims in your workplace. Implementing these ideas can help boost safety awareness throughout your organization.

Safety programs are often spread across separate departments, including human resources, loss control and data analysis. Integrating these parts into a unified safety program ensures that everyone is working on the same page and understands each other’s roles.
You most likely have on-the-job safety training included for new hires. However, you should also make sure they’re being trained in the administrative side of safety measures. All employees should know the proper procedures for reporting an incident, including who can help them fill out the paperwork. Emphasize the importance of reporting claims as soon as possible before they grow into bigger problems.
Ensure that your company has a well-rounded return-to-work program with a number of modified-duty job options. Develop a relationship with your local clinic to facilitate effective injury treatment.
Use equipment that’s ergonomically designed to reduce stress and strain on operators. Promptly repair or replace any machines, vehicles or tools that present a safety hazard.

DJ Products can assist you in maintaining high safety standards with our full line of efficient, easy-to-operate tugs, carts and pushers. Call 800.686.2651 and let our Sales Engineers help you find the best solution for your application.

Reducing Pain of Worker’s Comp

“Ergonomics and Reducing the Pain in Worker’s Comp” is the topic of a workshop scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, January 20. Sponsored by the Northern Minnesota Safety Council, the workshop will be held at the Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation at 3801 Bemidji Ave. N, Suite 4, Bemidji, MN. Cost of the program is $25 per person; lunch will be provided. To register or for more information, visit the Center’s website at www.cri-bsu.org.

The workshop recognizes two forces that are coming together to reshape American industry: the high cost of health care and increased governmental regulation of workplace safety. With Congress on the verge of approving a national health care plan and the Obama administration in the midst of reviewing OSHA ergonomics standards in anticipation of ordering more stringent workplace safety standards later this year, the workshop should provide attendees with a more thorough understanding of the impact ergonomics can have on their business. The program will feature Joe Kapaun of Choice Therapy with expertise in onsite ergonomic systems evaluations and industrial rehabilitation.

Ergonomics has been proven to reduce workplace musculoskeletal injuries which account for the majority of worker’s compensation claims. Worker’s compensation claims cost American businesses more than $60 billion annually, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The National Council on Compensation Insurance reports that more than 50% of those claims are for back injuries from lifting, pulling, pushing and straining. Ergonomically-designed material handling equipment significantly reduces worker injury from manual labor tasks, resulting in significant worker’s compensation savings. The Bureau of Labor Statistics calculated the estimated time-lost cost per injury at $26,000 per incident. Prevention of a single injury by implementing use of ergonomically-designed material handling equipment results in an immediate savings of $26,000.

To find out how ergonomic material handling equipment can help you reduce worker’s compensation costs, visit the DJ Products website.

Workman’s Compensation Trends

Watching the trends and staying aware of changes in laws can help businesses plan how to prevent injuries and prepare for the risk of workman’s compensation claims.

Here’s a roundup of trends in the news regarding workers’ comp:

Safety measures help reduce worker’s comp costs in some states

Costs associated with worker’s compensation vary from state to state and in different industries. While rates rise in some sectors, many states have seen slight decreases across-the-board in costs for employers—with manufacturing and industrial firms seeing decreases due to lower medical costs and changes in safety measures.

Calls for better oversight

Many government agencies have seen scandals and controversies rock their workman’s compensation departments, leading to chatter over the need for better oversight of the programs.

In Washington, D.C., city officials have held special meetings to find out whether $24 million was mismanaged in recent years by administrators.

While employers wish for compensation matters to be handled swiftly and fairly, questionable management of the programs themselves are cause for concern for everyone involved.

Cities mulling creation of local worker’s comp offices

Municipal governments face workman’s compensation claims just as private businesses do, and in some cases city officials have seen large rises in claims. Trenton, New Jersey administrators have paid unexpected millions in compensation claims in 2014, prompting calls for a new local position or city office to oversee the program.

While debate goes on about the cost-benefit concerns of creating an oversight position, rising costs have proponents claiming that the job could pay for itself by reducing fraudulent claims.

Worker’s Compensation Tips – Stay Savvy to Stay Profitable

Warehouse and distribution companies should pay special attention to the trends in workers’ compensation and employee healthcare. Risk expert Mark Walls of Property Casualty 360 examines how businesses are minimizing injury risks and keeping employees productive — and his insights have inspired us with some great new warehouse management tips.

Trends in Workers’ Comp Networks

For workers’ compensation, employers are moving toward outcome-based networks. OBNs send injured workers to care providers with a track record of fast, effective, and quality results.

It’s all part of looking at the bigger picture. Rather than choosing plans based solely on the price tag, OBNs help control costs and reduce unnecessary claims while also finding ways to get workers healthy and back on the job. Better health and less unnecessary claims lead to a healthier bottom line.

Reducing Injuries & Claims for Warehouse Employees

Many workplace injuries at warehouses stem from constant physical exertion, rather than spills and accidents. Manually pushing and pulling carts and equipment places great strain on the arms, back and legs.

Also, businesses using part-time staff should be aware that less-experienced employees are also prone to injuries. Thorough training and ergonomic tools like motorized carts help ensure a safe work environment for workers of all experience levels and physical abilities.

Ultimately, industrial cart movers reduce injuries so a business can expect fewer workers’ comp claims and a healthy workforce. Preventing injuries in the first place is always better than dealing with claims.

For more warehouse management tips, follow the DJ Products blog. Check out our CartCaddy4SC and other industrial electric carts to boost productivity and minimize workers’ comp risk.

Workman’s Compensation Claim Trends

Workman’s compensation claims are one of the biggest factors affecting a company’s management of their labor force and costs. Major changes to the national business and healthcare landscapes are expected to have a significant impact on this issue during the upcoming years.

Here’s a roundup of some of the more newsworthy trends taking shape.

According to the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI), the number of lost-times claims has been on a downward trend for the last 15 years. However, analysts are predicting an end to this movement with claims beginning to rise in both number and frequency as the nation continues to climb out of the recession of the 2000s.
While the full effects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) won’t be completely known for several years, some believe that it will help reduce workman’s compensation costs. The removal of lifetime limits and pre-existing condition restrictions will result in less shifting of claims from individual healthcare insurance coverage.
Another factor with unpredictable effects is the return of military veterans from the Middle East. All soldiers are scheduled to be out of combat zones by 2016, which will create an influx of new employees in the workforce. It remains to be seen how the workman’s compensation system will be impacted when employers need to accommodate employees with existing physical and mental injuries.

Use of our motorized tugs and pushers from DJ Products can help reduce the number of claims in your workplace. Their ease of use and ergonomic design allows one person to safely transport loads up to 50,000 pounds. Call 800.686.2651 and let one of our friendly Sales Engineers help you find the perfect solution.

Ignoring Ergonomics Exacts High Financial Toll

In our last post, we noted that Michigan has proposed regulations that would mandate ergonomic training and penalize employers for ignoring repetitive-stress injuries. While cognizant of the health and safety benefits to their workers, employers are understandably concerned about the cost. What they may fail to realize is that the cost of implementing and maintaining an ergonomic program pales in comparison to the exorbitant costs of ignoring ergonomics.

The annual price tag for workplace injury and illness is estimated at $171 billion. Back injuries, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive-stress injuries result in decreased productivity, poor product quality, increased medical costs, higher insurance payments, inflated workers’ compensation costs, low morale and high absenteeism. According to an American Medical Association study, 6,500 people die from workplace injuries each year and non-fatal injuries afflict another 13.2 million. The total cost of workplace injuries is nearly equal to the combined annual profits of America’s 20 largest companies.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Workers’ compensation claims cost U.S. businesses $60 billion annually, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. More than 25% of those claims are for back injuries from repetitive lifting, pulling, pushing and straining, reports the National Council on Compensation Insurance. Back injuries, which involve lengthy and costly treatment, affect more than 1.75 million workers each year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. OSHA estimates that 1 in 5 disabling worker injuries is a back injury. Back injuries alone cost American businesses more than $12 million in lost workdays and $1 billion in compensation costs each year. The estimated time-lost cost for a single injury is $26,000.

Numerous studies have proved that ergonomically-designed equipment and systems can significantly decrease worker injury. Many manual tasks necessary during the handling of materials require repetitive motions — pushing, pulling, bending, lifting and carrying — that place undue strain on the human body. These actions can result in sprains, strains, back pain and other musculoskeletal injuries.

Installing ergonomically designed pushers, pullers and carts can save thousands of dollars a year in decreased medical, insurance and disability costs resulting from repetitive-stress musculoskeletal injuries. Implementing ergonomic practices in the workplace can improve worker morale considerably while increasing efficiency and productivity significantly. Retraining staff to utilize recognized ergonomic practices generally produces an immediate savings in reduced worker injuries and associated medical costs.

DJ Products specializes in providing affordable ergonomic solutions to material handling applications. Our highly trained staff can assist you in assessing your material handling needs and design ergonomic solutions tailored to the specific needs of your business. For more information, visit the DJ Products website.

Tag: workers’ compensation