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Putting Your Employees In The Best Position To Keep Workers Comp Costs Down

Putting Your Employees In The Best Position To Keep Workers Comp Costs Down

1 month, 2 days ago

A Practical Guide to Ergonomics: Your Defense Against Costly Workers’ Comp Claims

Most workplace injuries do not result from a single, dramatic accident. They are strains, sprains, and pains that develop slowly over time from repetitive tasks and poorly designed work environments. These injuries drive workers’ compensation costs, but they are also highly preventable.

The solution is a practical ergonomics program.

Ergonomics is simply the process of fitting the job to the worker, not forcing the worker to fit the job. By making smart adjustments to workstations, tools, and processes, you can significantly reduce injury risk, lower your insurance costs, and improve productivity.

Start with the Office: Five-Minute Fixes for Major Savings

An office environment seems safe, but it is a common source of expensive, long-term claims for back, neck, and wrist injuries. A simple five-minute evaluation of each workstation can prevent months of problems. This just as important for your employees working from home, who often don’t have the same sort of setup you had built for them in the office.

Focus on these key adjustments:

  • The Chair: The employee’s lower back should be fully supported by the chair back. Their feet must rest flat on the floor or on a footrest.
  • The Monitor: The top of the screen should be at or just below eye level. This prevents the neck and shoulder strain that comes from looking up or down all day.
  • The Keyboard and Mouse: Position the keyboard so the employee’s elbows are bent at a 90-degree angle with wrists kept straight. The mouse should be right next to the keyboard. This prevents debilitating wrist and arm injuries.
  • The Telephone: If an employee spends significant time on the phone, require a headset. Cradling a phone between the head and shoulder is a directly causes of severe neck and back pain.

Finally, employees must face their work directly. Twisting the body to view a monitor or reach a keyboard is a recipe for lower back injuries.

Ergonomics is for Every Job, Not Just Desks

The principles of good ergonomics apply to every industry and role. Small changes in any work environment yield significant results.

  • Case Study: Motion and Stretching. A bus company faced over 100 repetitive motion injuries each year. By implementing a simple program of morning and afternoon stretching exercises, they reduced that number to just a handful, none of which required surgery. The cost savings were immediate and substantial.
  • Case Study: Proper Equipment. A healthcare provider saw a high rate of leg and ankle injuries among staff who assist elderly patients. An investigation revealed the problem: improper footwear. Employees were wearing flip-flops and heels instead of supportive, non-slip shoes. Mandating proper footwear was a simple policy change that directly reduced the frequency of sprains and falls.

How to Identify Your Biggest Risks

Your goal is to identify and eliminate tasks that put unnecessary stress on an employee’s body. Look for any job that requires:

  • Repetitive Motions: Performing the same action over and over, especially for long periods.
  • Awkward Postures: Working in a bent, twisted, or physically unnatural position.
  • Forceful Exertion: Pushing, pulling, or gripping with high effort.
  • Heavy Lifting: Regularly lifting or carrying heavy or unwieldy objects.

A simple guideline is the “Two-Hour Rule.” If an employee performs any of the actions above continuously for two hours or more per day, you have identified a significant ergonomic risk that must be addressed.

The Financial Impact is Clear

Ignoring ergonomics has a direct and measurable cost.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the median time away from work for a repetitive stress injury is 23 days. That is more than three times longer than the seven days for a slip-and-fall injury.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) found that 32% of all workers’ compensation claims in the construction industry could have been prevented with proper ergonomics. At an average cost of over $9,000 per claim, the potential savings are enormous.

A Proactive Program is a Profitable One

Implementing an ergonomics program is not a business expense; it is an investment in your company’s financial health. The benefits are clear:

  • Fewer injuries and lower workers’ comp claims.
  • Increased employee productivity and morale.
  • Reduced errors and improved work quality.
  • Less employee fatigue and absenteeism.

By systematically identifying risks and training your team to work safely and efficiently, you take control of your workers’ compensation costs and build a stronger, more resilient business.