subject: Safety On The Job- Tips To Avoid Filing A Workers Compensation Claim (and What To Do If You Do Need [print this page] A woodchip flies into someones eye, a hammer hits a finger instead of a nail, a laborer trips and falls over a cord someone left carelessly lying aroundThese are just a few of the situations likely to arise for contractors and their employees.Often times- things like these happen all too fast.Youll never be able to avoid incidents like these all together, but you can employ ways to help prevent some of them- saving your employees pain and lost wages, and saving yourself headaches and paperwork
Back Injuries
According to the Illinois Workers Compensation Board, nearly 250,000 workmans comp claims are filed each year-just in Illinois alone!The part of the body thats hurt more than any other is the back.While this is not necessarily surprising, there are ways to prevent certain back injuries that many people either do not know about or choose not to use.
The Mayo Clinic recommends the following tips to help avoid back strain and injury
* Be fit
* Pay attention to posture
* Lift properly
* Adjust your work space
* Adopt healthy work habits
o Plan your moves.
o Listen to your body.
o Minimize hazards.
o Work on coordination and balance.
Get more information on what you can do to help prevent back injuries from the Mayo Clinics website
Take a look at the United States Department of Labors Website to get more info on workmans compensation laws in your state.
Print out a copy of these tips and give them to your contractors.They might look at you funny- but if theyre interested in saving themselves an injury, theyll take a look and maybe even use a tip or two.
Carelessness
People become complacent, in every industry- bust especially in the construction trades.Working for a while in the same job, or same location can cause workers to become too comfortable.In the contracting industry, becoming too comfortable often leads to careless mistakes.If youre able to better train your employees on safety awareness, youll significantly reduce your workmans comp costs.
* Teaching employees the importance of cleaning up as they go is key.Wrappers left out, cords lying around, and unused tools create clutter and more tripping hazards.
* Turning off power tools when not in use.Youll prevent accidents and save money and equipment.
* Measuring twice and cutting once- key for all trades.You save on equipment and you prevent the need to go back and do something again, often in a hurry.
Proper Training and Workplace Preparedness
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is around to help prevent accidents and injuries on the job.Many contractors see OSHA as the bad guy who comes around to fine them.Consider taking a different point of view on OSHA.OSHA offers a service to small businesses that can help prevent accidents and make the jobsite a safer place.OSHA On-Site Consultation services offers a FREE and CONFIDENTIAL consultation for small business to help inform and train employees on workplace hazards, health issues, and managing effective safety systems.It doesnt cost anything for businesses that qualify, and may even offer you a one year exemption from routine OSHA inspections.Its worth taking a look at.Get more information on the OSHA On-Site Consultation services on the OSHA website.
Workers Compensation Insurance
Make sure you have the right workmans compensation insurance for your small business.Many employers arent covered under the right policies and this can cause you many problems if the need arises to file a claim.EZContractorsInsurance.com can help you find the right agent who can provide you the right Workers Compensation policy for your contracting business.They take the hassle out of finding an agent, offering instant FREE quotes from agents in your area.
They also have years of experience dealing with Workmans Compensation Insurance Issues and help you avoid the pitfalls of not having the proper policy.Check out the 7 Dirty Secrets of Workers Compensation Insurance. Avoid high premiums on your policies, and learn the right steps to take to help to manage your workmans compensation claims.
Take a look at the United States Department of Labors Website to get more information on workers compensation laws and programs.
Filed under: Contractor Insurance Issues, Insurance Regulations, Safety | Tagged: Insurance, general liability insurance, workmans comp, Contractor, EZContractors Insurance, OSHA, Construction Safety, Back Injuries, Workman's Compensation Claims, Workers Comp, Health and Safety
