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1 |
Require
employees to report all accidents or illnesses immediately.
The sooner you get prompt, appropriate care for injured or ill employees,
the sooner they're likely to recover and return to work, the less likely
they are to sue, and the lower your costs will be. |
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Action Step:
Make sure your workers' compensation insurance provider offers a
toll-free number or online capabilities for claim reporting, as well as easy
access to a network of healthcare providers who specialize in treating
occupational illnesses and injuries.
See how AFIG helps its insureds reduce workers'
compensation claim costs. |
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2 |
Focus
on getting injured employees back to work quickly and safely.
Studies show that the longer injured workers stay off the job, the less
likely it is that they'll ever get back to work. Worse yet, injured workers
tend to stay off the job three to four times longer than is medically
necessary. |
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Action Step:
Establish a formal return-to-work program
that's tailored for your organization. This will let your injured workers
know that you support their early return to work, even if they must come
back initially for lighter duties, part-time responsibilities, or
transitional jobs. The sooner they reconnect with their associates and their
responsibilities, the healthier their outlook and yours will be. |
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3 |
Control
employees' exposure to workplace contaminants.
Fine dust. Noxious gases. Loud noises. Toxic chemicals. Exposure to any of
these can be more than irritating, it can be a hazard to your employees'
health. |
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Action Step:
Make sure that chemicals are properly stored in approved safety containers
and cabinets. Check to make sure that any gases, dust, or fumes do not
exceed OSHA's Permissible Exposure Levels (PEL) or the American Conference
of Governmental Industrial Hygienist's Threshold Limit Values (TLV®),
whichever is lower. |
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4 |
Pay
attention to ergonomics.
Today, more than half of all workplace injuries are caused by "cumulative
trauma disorders" or CTDs, meaning discomfort, pain and physical impairment
that are caused by repetitive motions and exertions. (Carpal tunnel
syndrome, for example, is a CTD.) |
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Action Step:
Make sure your managers know that improving ergonomics isn't just a
"nice-to-consider," it's a "must-to-do." Start by watching your employees in
action, noting any awkward postures or repetitive actions. Then work with
your employees to see how, together, you can reduce the stress and strain of
those operations. Consult a Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE) for
assistance in evaluating and reducing ergonomic risks. |
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5 |
Make
safety everyone's job.
You alone cannot ensure the safety of each worker. You need the full support
and cooperation of all your employees. |
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Action Step:
Let your employees know that you welcome suggestions about how to make the
workplace safer for everyone. Award and recognize safe operations. Make
safety discussions a regular agenda item at your employee meetings.
Consider setting up
Employer/Employee Committees in your company. |
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6 |
Evaluate
the air quality in your building.
Being proactive about the quality of the air in your building makes good
business sense, and allows you to respond to employee concerns quickly and
effectively. |
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Action Step:
If you lease your business space, consider working with the building owner
to initiate a proactive evaluation of your building's heating, ventilating,
and air-conditioning (HVAC) Take every employee or visitor's complaint
seriously, document the complaint, and investigate appropriately. Consult a
Certified Industrial Hygienist for practical advice about indoor air
quality, evaluating the air in your workplace and specific contaminants of
concern. |
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7 |
Evaluate
material handling practices.
Do your employees lift or handle materials often? If so, you can reduce
their risk of injury be providing training and proper equipment. Back
injuries account for a staggering number of sick days each year, second only
to those attributed to the common cold. |
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Action Step:
Teach your employees how to lift safely. Provide hand trucks, or other
mechanical aids and teach employees how to use these tools safely. If your
employees use equipment to move materials, regularly assess that equipment.
Is it adjustable for different workers? Is it the best technology available?
Is it well maintained? Is it appropriate for the task? Review the areas
where these operations tend to take place. Are they well lit and well
ventilated? Can employees stay comfortable while they work? |
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8 |
Minimize
the risk of slips and falls.
Innocent sounding slips, trips and falls account for more than 10% of
occupational injuries which cause employees to miss work. |
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Action Step:
To minimize the risk of tragic slips and falls, consider these six
steps: 1) keep the walking surfaces, inside and outside of your facilities,
in top condition; 2) encourage your workers to take special care when
working on ramps, stairs, or ladders; 3) cover and mark any holes in the
ground or floor; 4) maintain floors properly so they don't become slippery;
5) keep your workplace free from clutter, which often causes trips and
falls; and 6) install railings, gates, etc., on stairs, ramps, and walkways. |
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9 |
Use
proper machine guards to protect employees.
If your business uses any machinery, it's critical that you install
appropriate safeguards to protect employees who operate equipment. |
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Action Step:
Regularly inspect each piece of equipment and its safeguards. Check to
be sure that appropriate safeguards are installed, up-to-date, and
functioning properly. Make sure that those safeguards are designed to
enhance productivity while providing adequate protection, and verify that
both the equipment operators and passersby are protected. Instruct employees
that they must never remove or disable guards or other protective devices. |
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