Research by Travelers insurance company indicates that nearly one-third of workplace injuries occur within the injured person's first year on the job and account for nearly one-third of claim costs. First-year employees are overrepresented in claims data for frequent injuries (such as muscle sprains) as well as for more catastrophic injuries (such as amputations). Clearly, new employees are at significant risk of on-the-job injuries.
By comparing its experiences to benchmark data about common loss trends, an organization can identify where additional training programs and safety best practices might help its employees avoid common workplace injuries, to which first-year employees may be more susceptible. With the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and the potential for new hiring or the return of furloughed employees, it is critical for employers to have robust safety training programs and practices in place. Such training should start before an employee's first day and continue throughout their time at the organization.
Because workplace injuries affect more than just the injured employee, taking steps to create a safer workplace can help protect all employees from the risks of injury at work. Focusing on five particular strategies can help a company improve its efforts to prevent workplace injuries, especially for first-year employees.
Integrate Safety into the Hiring Process
A formal hiring process and clear job descriptions can help attract qualified job candidates. Job descriptions should convey the organization's safety culture and its expectations about best practices. This ensures that potential employees understand the importance of safety, starting with their first interactions with the company. Behavioral interviews and background checks can help identify candidates who are likely to fit well into the company's safety culture. Once someone is hired, their safety training can begin on day one before they starts executing the tasks of their new role.
Conduct a Job Safety Analysis
A job safety analysis (JSA) breaks down a job into its parts, describes the hazards associated with each step, and defines the safe work method that minimizes or eliminates each hazard. Safety training based on those risks should be skills-based—rather than solely awareness-based—so employees can develop a firsthand understanding of proper safety protocols. This process can be more effective than those that are less hands-on, such as having employees just watch videos or online tutorials.
Provide Continuous Onboarding and Training
Even experienced employees can be at a higher risk of an injury during their first year, when they are new to the role, are new to the department, or have recently returning to work in a transitional duty role after an injury. Regular safety training can ensure that employees understand and adhere to safety expectations and procedures. Just because a new employee is experienced doesn't mean they understand the company's safety expectations and procedures. For example, even if an employee has experience at another construction site or has used a piece of equipment before, they still need training on the safety protocols at the new organization or for the new task.
Implement an Accident Analysis Program
With this type of program, a company can identify the root causes of injuries after an accident has occurred, then develop corrective actions to reduce the likelihood of similar accidents and injuries (such as those caused by repetitive motions, awkward body posture, and overexertion). An analysis should document a description of the accident (including where it occurred), the length of tenure of the employees involved, and how often the accident could happen if improvements are not made. This data can help businesses better understand employee injury risks and should inform updates to training programs and mitigation plans.
Support Employees Throughout Their Careers
Well after the first year on the job, employees remain at risk of injuries at work, with sprains and strains topping the injury list for longer-tenured workers. Employers should take steps to reduce workplace injuries by implementing illness prevention programs and general safety trainings that foster a safety culture. Companies should be prepared before an injury takes place and have a plan that helps injured employees return to work as soon as medically appropriate. (For example, a transitional duty program can help employees remain engaged and connected at work during their recovery.)
All organizations should take whatever steps they can to improve their safety cultures. By developing and implementing effective safety procedures and training, employers can maintain high work standards, keep employees safe, and protect their businesses from workers' compensation claims.