A key to keeping workers' compensation costs low is minimizing accidents and injuries. Every type of business will have some level of risk. Businesses need to maintain workers compensation insurance to minimize losses from employee-related claims.
As a business owner, being proactive about minimizing risk is just as important. Consider the most common type of workers' comp claims and the steps you can take to reduce the risk of filing one.
#1: Overexertion
While you want your employees to work hard, you do not want them to get hurt overexerting themselves.
Overexertion usually happens when a person lifts, pushes or pulls something beyond the normal range of his or her motion. This happens often in physically demanding jobs such as construction work.
To reduce this risk, focus on teaching employees the proper way to move objects or perform tasks. OSHA provides guidelines for most types of material handling. Teach your employees to follow these rules.
#2: Slips and Falls
Slips, trips and falls are also very common. These occur most often on surfaces that are wet or slick. But, they can also occur due to objects being out of place, poor lighting, or maintenance concerns.
Employee accidents may occur outside, such as on icy sidewalks, or inside such as on slick floors. To minimize slips and falls, take several steps. First, ensure proper maintenance and cleaning of floors. Be sure employees are proactive about cleaning as they go. Second, ensure proper maintenance on the floors and walkways throughout the space. Remove carpeting or anything else that could cause a fall.
#3: Falling to Lower Levels
Often occurring in factories or construction jobs, falling to lower levels is also a common type of workers' compensation claim. OSHA offers a comprehensive resource to help individuals learn to avoid this safety risk. Proper harnessing even when it’s a “quick trip” makes a big difference to these types of claims.
Having the right type of business insurance is also important. Even if a company takes every step to minimize risks, there are still instances in which a person can get hurt. To avoid this have the proper type of business insurance in place. That way, you can cover workplace accidents.
Give First Insurance Group a call today at (800) 511-2892. We can help you get the right type of Kentucky workers compensation insurance for your business.