New health and safety resources

Workers' Compensation claims involving lost-time injuries and insights - NCCI

The National Council on Compensation Insurance's (NCCI) new interactive resource Injury Characteristics and Insight dashboard provides an overview of the average cost of lost time claims by cause of injury, nature of injury, and body part. Some major findings:

• The average cost for workers' compensation claims for accidents in 2020-2021 was $41,757.
• The costliest lost-time workers' compensation claims by cause of injury result from motor-vehicle crashes, averaging $89,152 per workers' compensation claim that occurred in 2020 and 2021. The only other causes with above-average costs were burns ($52,161), falls or slips ($49,971), and caught ($47,076).
• The costliest lost-time workers' compensation claims by nature of injury result from amputation. These injuries averaged $126,033 per claim that occurred in 2020 and 2021. The next highest costs were for other trauma ($63,044), injuries resulting in fracture, crush, or dislocation ($62,240), and burns ($52,222).
• In 2020 and 2021, the costliest lost-time workers' compensation claims by part of body were those involving the head or central nervous system, which averaged $94,285 per claim. The next highest costs were for injuries involving the neck ($65,659) and multiple body parts ($62,257). Injuries to the leg ($60,901), hip, thigh, and pelvis ($60,155), and arm or shoulders (49,838) also had above-average cost.

Artificial intelligence

• The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) has published a new technology guide on artificial intelligence in construction. The guide provides an overview of AI uses during the span of a construction project, from preconstruction to building maintenance. It also includes best practices for AI policy and links to more information.
• A new report from SHRM and the Burning Glass Institute, Generative Artificial Intelligence and the Workforce, explores how the ubiquitous nature of the technology will impact occupations, economic sectors, and jobs as well as the decisions facing leadership.

Construction worker suicide prevention video

The Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) has released a video promoting mental health awareness and suicide prevention in the construction industry.

Guide for selecting proper eyewear

Under ANSI Z87.1 from the American National Standards Institute, workers must be trained on and have access to suitable eyewear that protects against impact, non-ionizing radiation, and liquid splash exposure. A recent Industrial Safety & Hygiene News article provides a guide to selecting the proper eye protection equipment, focusing on features such as lens coating, material, and fit.

New resource for preventing shift work sleep disorder

A new resource from the American College of Chest Physicians is aimed at preventing shift work sleep disorder among employees who work nontraditional hours. It offers several practical tips to decrease the risk of sleep work shift disorder.

3D printing guide aimed at small businesses

NIOSH recently published a guide to address concerns from employees in small businesses, schools, libraries, and other workplaces related to the potential occupational health hazards from exposures to 3D printing emissions.