WORKER COMPENSATION ISSUES FOR SUPERVISORS

Transcription

1 WORKER COMPENSATION ISSUES FOR SUPERVISORS

2 DO YOU KNOW YOUR INCIDENT RATE? Employers record and report accident information on OSHA log Information recorded Number of fatalities Number of injuries and illnesses involving lost workdays Number of injuries and illnesses involving restricted workdays Number of days away from work Number of days restricted work activity Number of injuries and illnesses without lost workdays

3 INCIDENT RATE Incident rate is the number of incidents per 100 employees (working 40 hours per week for 50 weeks) Incidents are the total of the number of fatalities, injuries and illnesses involving lost and restricted workdays, and injuries and illness without lost workdays. DART Incidence Rate Days Away from work, days of Restricted work activity or job Transfer.

4 UW-GREEN BAY S EXPERIENCE Recordable UWGB IR UW System IR UWGB DART UW System DART

5 WHAT ARE THE CAUSES? Lifting other load Pushing/pulling a load Lifting other load Blade Slipper surface Slippery surface Slippery surface Struck by against other object Struck by against other object Repetitive motion Fall; different level Splash Pushing/pulling a load

6 WHAT DOES THIS COST US? Claim cost Premiums paid 04 72,552 99, ,853 92, , , , ,882

7 HOW CAN WE CONTROL THESE LOSSES AND COSTS? Pre-work screens Supervisor involvement Accident analysis Early Return to Work

8 WHAT IS A PRE-WORK SCREEN? A series of tasks designed to assess ability to perform the essential (critical) physical demands of the job. Administered by a therapist (OT or PT) Objectively measures functional capabilities (Non-discrimination) Administered post-offer, pre-hire

9 WHY DO THIS? Reduce injuries on the job which should result in a reduction in WC claims/payments Minimize consequences of hiring an employee who is not able to perform required functions of the job. Increase efficiency Increase morale Eliminate need for new search/screen process

10 PROCESS POSITION SELECTION Positions selected Arboretum project coordinator, greenskeeper, gardener Auto technician Custodian, custodian lead Electrician Event coordinator (Weidner Center) Event support service (Union) Facilities Maintenance Specialist Facilities Repair Worker Mailroom, Shipping and Mailing Associate Media Electronics Technician Media Services Power Plant Operator, HVAC

11 PROCESS SCREEN DEVELOPMENT Pre-work screen development Occupational therapist (OT) reviewed job descriptions OT met with supervisor to review essential job functions OT observed an employee (~1.5 hours per screen) OT developed a draft pre-work screen Supervisor validation

12 PROCESS IMPLEMENTATION Policy Applies to new hires only Must pass all tests to be hired Administration HR coordinates screening (typically 24 hour turn around) Cost $75/ screen paid for by department hiring individual

13 CAN YOU BE A CUSTODIAN?

14 CAN YOU BE A CUSTODIAN?

15 CAN YOU BE A CUSTODIAN?

16 CAN YOU BE A CUSTODIAN?

17 WHAT BODY PART WOULD BE A LIMITING FACTOR? Kneeling Overhead work Lift Push/pull Dust mopping Wet mopping Stair climbing Ladder climbing

18 WHAT S MORE CHALLENGING? Stair climbing (30 steps) 50# lift floor to waist Or Crouch 1 minute Or Ladder climbing (36 steps total) Or 30# lift floor to 62 Kneeling, 5 minutes Forward bend 30 o for 3 min Crawling on belly 15 feet Or Or Kneeling, 5 minutes Crawling on back 15 feet

19 PRE-WORK SCREEN VALUE What we hoped for A tool that will screen out applicants who cannot meet physical demands of the job Minimize worker compensation costs Minimize turn over when staff do not meet their 6 month probation. Program in effect for one year not sufficient data to determine if goals are being met.

20 SUPERVISORS ROLE IN THE WC PROCESS Minimize incidence rates Accident Analysis Early Return to work

21 WHAT IS AN ACCIDENT? Accident An unplanned, undesired event that may result in personal injury, illness, property damage and environmental harm and/or causes an interruption in a process or normal activities.

22 ACCIDENTS ARE CAUSED BY Unsafe acts Unsafe conditions

23 UNSAFE ACTS Untrained employees Inattentiveness Not following safety procedures Not using PPE, guards, etc. Operating without authority Running/horseplay Improper body mechanics

24 UNSAFE CONDITIONS Poor housekeeping Poor maintenance Blocked walkways Unsafe equipment Inadequate lighting Inadequate ventilation Unsafe walking/working surface When fire ripped through a maintenance room at the University of in 2002, a master electrician died of smoke inhalation. While four other workers managed to escape, the electrician was trapped by Xmas decorations and chairs stored in the cramped space.

25 DIRECT AND INDIRECT COSTS OF ACCIDENTS Direct costs Medical expenses Lost time-temporary disability benefits Rehab Retraining Loss of earning capacity Permanent disability settlements Indirect costs Hiring/training replacements Overtime Costs of repair/replace Lost time of employees at accident scene Productive time lost by supervisor

26 WHY INVESTIGATE ACCIDENTS? To prevent recurrence of a similar accident. Employee awareness of importance of safe work habits. Promote good will. Show concern for all employees. Improve supervisors approach to managing safety. Documentation to assist in WC claim. Reduce or control costs.

27 WHY SHOULD SUPERVISORS DO THE INVESTIGATION? Know most about employee and work environment Directly responsible for their employees Can take immediate action to prevent recurrence Can communicate more effectively with employees in their work area Can take immediate action to care for injured employee.

28 HOW DOES ACCIDENT ANALYSIS BENEFIT SUPERVISORS? Demonstrates supervisors concern for employees Helps identify trends and problem areas Increases efficiency by minimizing interruptions, downtime and lost time due to recurring accidents Improve the supervisors management approach to health and safety

29 HOW TO INVESTIGATE AN ACCIDENT Gather as much information as possible Analyze the facts to determine the cause Recommend corrective measure to prevent future accidents

30 SIX KEY QUESTIONS PLUS Who What When Why How Where Were safety devices or other safety equipment in use at the time of the accident? Were emergency procedures followed?

31 EARLY RETURN TO WORK Type of Injury Knee Ankle Elbow WC paid hrs WC Wages pd ERW paid hrs ERW WC experience saved Total pd % saved by ERW 80% 69% 46%

32 CASE # 1 An employee slipped on icy sidewalk on way in to work from parking lot resulting in a fractured a bone in the shoulder area. (WC cost = $19,400)

33 CASE #2 An employee missed a step on the stairs and fell breaking an ankle. Injury resulted in 13 days away from work and a WC claim of $19,200.

34 CASE #3 Employee strained back when lifting box of Xmas decorations on to high shelf.

35 CASE #4 An employee trips over extension cords lying across the floor. The employee was able to catch himself and was not injured in any way.

36 CASE #5 An employee cut hand while opening a cardboard box with a utility knife.

37 CASE # 6 An employee splashed cleaning chemical in eye resulting in mild irritation and a trip to the emergency room.