Workplace accidents are often unavoidable in business, which is why workers’ comp insurance is so crucial. Employers must understand how to quickly and effectively deal with an on-the-job injury to avoid financial liability and ensure employee protection. Here’s a quick guide to handling workplace injuries and ensuring a smooth road to recovery.
10 Steps to Take After a Workplace Accident
1. Attend to the Injured
Assess the injury and take the necessary first step. Call local medical staff or 911 if the injury warrants it, and follow emergency personnel’s instructions. For minor injuries, on-site first aid or comfort measures may be appropriate.
2. Relocate Other Employees
Move additional employees to a safe place away from the accident site. This step will reduce the risk of injury to other workers and allow emergency personnel space to work.
3. Follow the Emergency Plan
All businesses should have an emergency plan to guide the response to workplace injuries. If your company does not have one, you should create one that details steps for various emergencies, including accidents, fires, and inclement weather.
4. Secure the Scene
If the incident is severe, an investigation will follow, so securing the scene quickly with minimal disturbance to the environment is imperative. Cordone off or restrict the area to minimize evidence contamination and avoid additional incidents.
5. Gather Information
Filing a claim for workers’ comp insurance in California will require evidence. Document the accident scene and injury with photos, and gather statements from the victim and witnesses.
6. File the Claim, Including With OSHA If Severe
Most carriers prefer workers compensation claims to be filed within 24 hours of the incident. Depending on the severity of the claim, you may need to notify OSHA as well. Employers must report employee deaths within eight hours and hospitalizations, eye loss, and amputations within 24 hours. Some workers’ comp insurance carriers provide dedicated guidance on the OSHA filing procedure.
7. Create a Return-to-Work Plan
Even minor injuries can cause employees to miss weeks or months of work, and major injuries may require accommodations once they return. A return-to-work program helps to ease the transition back to regular duties.
8. Maintain Transparent Communication
The workers’ comp insurance claim procedure can be stressful for employers and employees. A transparent chain of communication throughout the process is helpful to all involved.
9. Review the Incident
After the completion of reports and the ensuing investigation, closely examine the incident to understand how it occurred. Look at historical data to identify troubling trends. Use your findings to focus on preventing additional incidents.
10. Change Protocol as Needed
Employers are responsible for keeping workers safe by meeting or exceeding compliance standards. Your efforts to protect workers will improve the workplace culture and ultimately reduce the number of workers’ comp insurance claims.
Prioritize Employee Education and Risk Management
As you learn from past accidents, communicate a commitment to workplace health and safety. Be transparent with the results of safety assessments, and train employees on accident prevention. A culture of workplace safety will positively impact all aspects of your business.
While a workplace accident is never pleasant, positive impacts may result. Use incidents to improve protocols and emphasize the importance of a safety-conscious job site. Western Republic can assist with an individualized solution for workers’ comp insurance.
About Western Republic
Locally owned and operated since 2009, Gabe Stubin of Western Republic Insurance Services has delivered quality insurance solutions to individuals in Huntington Beach, California, for over 17 years. Specializing in Commercial Business insurance coverage, our team of knowledgeable insurance professionals is committed to helping you find a policy that fits your needs. We focus on providing individualized attention and quality customer service to create an experience that’s difficult to find in today’s market. At Western Republic Insurance Services, we’ll work with you to ensure that you and those you care about most are protected.