Worker Safety - The Safety & Numbers work safety blog

Preventing Falls in Construction

Falls in construction are a well known cause of work injury. A common misconception is that fall injuries are primarily of concern to individuals that work at heights. This is not an accurate representation of the danger presented by slips, trips, and falls, even at minimal height. In heavy and highway construction, also known as horizontal construction, falls account for approximately 25% of workers compensation claims. These consist of falls from trucks, trailers, and construction equipment (45%); ladders, stairs, and scaffolding (20%); and walking or working surfaces (5%). Fortunately, a recent national focus on fall prevention has raised awareness of the issue and improved the quality of resources available to safety professionals. Resources are published daily at sites like OSHA’s Stop Falls Initiative, CDC’s Campaign to Prevent Falls in Construction, and StopConstructionFalls.com in support of this important work safety trend.

Source: Tennessee Road Builder Magazine

Falls from Trucks, Trailers, & Equipment

As a leading cause of injury in the workplace, the risk of falls from trucks, trailers, and equipment is an important hazard for which to mitigate risk. Communicating the need to maintain three points of contact, wear proper footwear, and clean debris from ladders and steps is a good first step. For many types of equipment, upgrading to access ladders that provide three points of contact and durable weight support can provide additional injury risk management. United Rentals is one example of a company that has provided a Safety Best Practice document recommending all employees at their 800+ locations upgrade to the Trucker portable side truck mount ladder. The Trucker ladder provides 3 points of contact, ANSI rated weight support, and slip resistant tread in a sturdy, lightweight design.

Indirect Costs from Fall Injuries

It is important to remember the indirect costs of work injuries when considering falls from minimal heights. It is easy to take for granted the risk of a fall from a 4′ flatbed trailer, particularly under the stress of work timelines. Nevertheless, while these may not always be a fatality risk, the consequences of a work injury extends far beyond broken bones and injury claims. Individuals can suffer long term complications that affect their ability to work and your company’s ability to excel. Even when injuries are minor, your company’s workers’ comp EMR (Experience Modifier Rate) is affected, causing insurance rates to go up and potentially limiting your ability to win valuable contracts. Clearly, the national focus on construction fall protection is a worthy cause for the sake of workers and the industries that employ them.

The Cost of Work Injuries: Direct, Indirect, and Hidden

A worker injury comes packaged with costs far beyond worker’s compensation claims and potential litigation expenses. Direct costs are significant; In 2009, worker’s compensation benefits paid totaled $58 billion, a 150% increase from only 6 years prior. Yet, considering direct costs alone when factoring a return on safety investment or justifying safety and health initiatives is painfully incomplete. Companies that have dealt with even minor worker injuries have experienced the hidden costs and indirect bottom line factors that can lead to catastrophic side effects or unanticipated benefits. Studies have shown that work injury prevention programs are effective both on a bureaucratic and a business level. Considering the complete picture of a work injury can be the most effective motivator for investing in safety risk management programs.

Hidden Costs of Work Injuries

The worst case scenario for a work injury, a death or debilitating injury, carries the most hidden costs for a business organization. Large workers’ comp claims hike up premiums and can even lead to inability to change or acquire insurance. From here, consider the effect on the co-worker when an employee suffers an injury on the job. In the worst case, counseling may be required for co-workers, as the work facility becomes a haunting reminder of the incident. Lack of sensitivity to this scenario can lead to worker absenteeism and forge foundational cracks in the management-employee bond. Injuries don’t have to be major to carry hidden costs, however. Companies with a reputation for aloofness to safety, experience a large number of worker injuries, or fail to support national and economic safety initiatives can have a hard time retaining and hiring employee at competitive salary levels.

Indirect Costs of Work Injuries

The indirect costs of a work injury are more easily foreseeable but still difficult to factor in monetary terms. It is important to realize their reach to fully anticipate the event of a work injury, even if the variability of the costs makes them difficult to forecast. Indirect costs can include training and compensating replacement workers, damaged property, production delays, administrative expense, and morale and reputation factors. These side effects and reactionary costs can add up to total up to 20 times the direct costs and are usually considered as a multiple factor in projections.

Indirect Safety Benefit & Opportunity Cost

Remember the hidden costs of a work injury? Hidden benefits are just as closely tied to safety initiatives. Safety programs are beneficial for the business, the worker, and the economy as a whole. A 2001 Liberty Mutual report on Safety Investment ROI shows that 61% of executives see a 3-1 return for safety investments, likely due to improved morale, productivity, industry reputation, community support, and HR advantages. Safety can be a core business value and produce competitive advantage as a positive safety reputation becomes recognized by customers, vendors, and staff. It doesn’t have to be though. An attentive and effective safety program can economically support strategies ranging from quality to customer service, while still producing indirect benefit. Ignoring this agenda for lower return investments is often an opportunity cost for businesses.

When a complete picture of work injuries and safety benefit is considered, it’s easier to see the wisdom in investing in injury prevention and championing proactive safety programs.

Celebrate Independence with Freedom from Work Injuries

The Fourth of July celebrates an important day for Americans and proponents of liberty across the globe. With the signing of the Declaration of Independence our founding fathers paved the road for new ideas ranging from civil rights to individual freedom and equal opportunity. The beauty of the American system is in its providence of choice. Each and every American citizen has the opportunity to capitalize on the liberties promised by the Constitution and Bill of Rights. As Americans we know that we must work for the security of our family. Opportunity is provided, success is earned. Each individual is blessed with the same system of laws, liberties, and protections. Those who work hard will excel.

The basic principles of American liberty branch off and extend throughout society. At times it can be perplexing to consider how little we take advantage of the system that is set up to enable us to succeed. One such area is workplace safety. Federal protections for employee safety have been a part of American society since the late 19th century, and OSHA legislation was first enacted over 40 years ago. The laws help to protect not only the individual worker, but also to shield businesses from the risk associated with workers’ compensation claims, lost employee time, and production delays. Yet, OSHA citations are commonplace throughout industry.

Declare Your Independence in 2013

In 2013, we challenge you to Declare Independence from Work Injuries. As a society blessed with personal freedoms, it is inherent that we encourage each other to achieve greatness. The opportunity to achieve an injury free workplace is provided as a safety incentive to all businesses, and the benefit, as is so often the case, cannot be expressed merely in dollars and cents. A safe employee is a happy employee, and happy employees work hard, recruit their friends, and provide great service to your customers. Take the time to consider the graciousness of a government that provides support for workplace safety, and factor how you can improve safety at your business to earn maximum benefit. Protect yourself from risk and remember the long term benefit of a safe workplace. After all, it’s the American way.

Work Zone Awareness Week Emphasizes Highway Safety

National Work Zone Awareness week is wrapping up today after five day of events and outreach initiatives to spread the word about an important work safety agenda. Work Zone Safety refers to construction and maintenance on highways and roads, encompassing a wide range of individuals, from pedestrians and drivers to road workers, municipal employees and law enforcement.

Work Zone Safety: “We’re All In This Together”

National Work Zone Awareness Week is a collaboration between the Federal Highway Administration and ATSSA with support from organizations including Associated General Contractors and WorkZoneSafety.org, to bring awareness to the risks involved in highway work zones. In 2010, 576 workers and motorists were killed in highway work zones, a marked improvement over a 10 year period as informed drivers and state awareness programs are helping to increase safety. With road construction beginning to ramp up after the winter months, National Work Zone Awareness Week serves to remind us of the importance of caution when traveling through work zones.

Work Zone Construction Safety: An Important Agenda

National Work Zone Awareness Week was initiated in 1999 and has coincided with a reduction in work zone crashes and fatalities each year since 2002. While there is always room for additional construction safety measures and caution in work zones, statistics support the effectiveness and importance of the campaign.

Crashes in work zones caused 720 fatalities in 2008, a 39 percent decrease from 2002, when 1,186 work zone fatalities occurred
In 2010, 576 workers and motorists were killed in highway work zones
Approximately 85% of work zone fatalities are drivers and their passengers
18%of work zone crashes injure construction workers, and 8% cause fatal injury
38% of highway contractors had motor vehicles crash into their construction work zones during the past year
45% of all work zone fatalities for 2010 were 35 years old or younger

Highway Safety Equipment and Work Zone Safety Initiatives

Since National Work Zone Awareness Week kicked off in 1999, innovation and technological developments have helped to manage injury risk associated with automobile crashes in highway work zones. Manufacturers such as Trinity Highway Products and Energy Absorption Systems produce highway crash cushions, crash rated traffic barrier, and shadow vehicle attenuator trucks to absorb and manage collision impacts. Highway safety equipment contractors such as Site-Safe Products specialize in work zone safety on highways across the country.

Crash Cushion Attenuator — Highway Crash Cushion

But the most important initiative for accident prevention is driver awareness. Products such as RoadQuake Rumble Strips help to alert drivers when workers are present. Always be mindful of work zone signage, put away any distracting devices, slow down, and observe posted speed limits when workers are present.

As National Work Zone Awareness Week reminds us, highway safety will help protect not only your family, but also the families of construction workers and municipal representatives operating in work zones.

Protect Workers from Falls for Risk Management ROI

Fall protection is a topic that small business owners often overlook. It may seem taxing to invest in equipment that provides safety features such as three points of contact, slip resistant flooring, and safety guardrails, but a reassuring way to look at it is as an ROI investment. The potential for employees to fall and injure themselves, particularly at heights greater than 4′, is a significant cost management risk which can be mitigated at marginal investment cost. Consider the following risk factors associated with failing to protect your employees from injuries resulting from falls.

Workers Comp Claims: The cost of broken bones is one of the most expensive worker’s compensation claims.
Insurance Premium Rates: When an employee is injured at work, Workers Comp premium rates may increase as your claim risk factor is increased.
Lost Time: In addition to monetary costs associated with injuries and insurance claims, lost time while an employee recovers may lead to staff shortages.

Build Culture: Safe Workers Work Harder

Another factor to consider is employee morale. Small businesses must function as a well-oiled machine to meet the demands of a growing customer base. Even the slightest hit to morale resulting from an injured co-worker can affect performance, quality and timelines. Research has shown that a safe working environment supports optimum productivity and employee satisfaction. Taking steps to protect employees that work at heights will provide risk management benefit and support your goal of attaining high productivity.