Workers’ compensation claims generally cannot be avoided. Certain industries have a higher rate of work comp claims than others, to be certain. Businesses and insurance companies would be wise to take a look at some of the more common causes of workers’ comp claims in order to be more proactive about preventing employee injuries.
EKU Online published an article on August 26, 2021, highlighting a few relevant workers’ compensation statistics from the 2020 study published by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. This particular study reviewed work comp injuries throughout the entire United States and identified the top five common injuries.
Strains made up 30.06% of the claims, taking the top spot. Contusions were second, with 20.83% of work claims, while lacerations were in third place at 11.79%. Sprains made up 8.85% and lastly, punctures made up 5.5%, taking the fifth spot.
When it comes to preventing strains or sprains while employees are on the job, consider how repetitive employees’ tasks are. If an employer is able to make the tasks less repetitive, this may help lower the incidence of strains occurring in the workplace. Businesses must provide appropriate equipment like forklifts if they must store heavy items overhead, which can help prevent employees from sustaining a sprain or strain.
Contusions can happen when an employee bumps into a hard surface or if they were to fall. It is important to remove tripping hazards in the workplace and to keep working areas clear of debris or other unnecessary objects to prevent falls. In winter climates, it is critical to keep sidewalks and parking lots clear of ice and snow to prevent injuries.
Lacerations or cuts are another common workplace injury. Ensure worker safety by providing appropriate training for all tools, especially sharp instruments. Maintaining all equipment and ensuring all employees follow OSHA safety guidelines can help prevent cuts as well as punctures. If employees work with glass or sharp objects regularly, it is imperative that they are provided with safety goggles, gloves, and other appropriate protective gear to prevent punctures.
Unfortunately, it isn’t always possible to prevent an injury from occurring in the workplace. An experienced durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and medical supplies (DMEPOS), pharmacy and ancillary service provider such as Northwood works with insurance companies administering work comp claims to hold down costs. This translates to an improved bottom line for insurance companies, when may then be passed on to the businesses they insure under workers’ compensation policies.
For a customized look into how partnering with a proven, highly-qualified DMEPOS, pharmacy and ancillary service provider such as Northwood can benefit your insurance company and your work comp clients, please call Rosanne Brugnoni at 586-755-3830 ext. 3771.
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