Workplace Injuries: The first 48 hours
I don’t have to tell you to make workplace injuries a priority, right? If you were able to substantially affect the impact of an workplace injury would you be willing to make it a top priority? Make the most of the first 48 hours after an injury on the job has occurred and you will substantially impact its affect on the business, customers and employees.
There is a great television show called “The First 48 Hours.” The show highlights how important the first 48 hours are for any homicide detective. The clock starts ticking the moment the detectives are called. Their chance of solving a case is cut in half if they don’t get a lead in the first 48 hours. Each passing hour gives the suspect more time to flee, witnesses more time to forget what they saw, and crucial evidence more time to be lost forever. Let me be clear, I am not implying an employee that has been injured, should in anyway be viewed or treated like a criminal. The analogy is important when dealing with workplace injuries.
Don't waste precious time!
I don’t need to tell you workplace accidents cost money. The actual cost of a lost workday injury is substantial. For every dollar you spend on the direct costs of a worker’s injury or illness, you will spend much more to cover the indirect and hidden costs. Think about the cost in terms of:
• Productive time lost by an injured employee;
• Productive time lost by employees and supervisors attending the accident victim;
• Clean up and start up of operations interrupted by the accident;
• Time to hire or to retrain other individuals to replace the injured worker until his/her return;
• Time and cost for repair or replacement of any damaged equipment or materials;
• Cost of continuing all or part of the employee’s wages, in addition to compensation;
• Reduced morale among your employees, and perhaps lower efficiency; Increased workers’ compensation insurance rates; and
• Cost of completing paperwork generated by the incident.
The list goes on! I don’t want to over simplify this matter, however if you want to reduce the costs and risks associated with workplace injuries and illnesses, you need to address safety and health right along with production.
Let’s take a closer look at the first 48 hours of a workplace injury.
1st Hour - The accident occurs (investigation should begin as help is being administered). In the absence of other personnel, after addressing the workers injury the investigation should begin promptly.
2nd – 5th Hour – The preliminary details of the accident and injury are in place. Follow up on the well being of the employee should occur.
6th – end of work day – Investigation continues and employee’s health status should be established.
Last 24 hours – Plan of action should be in place to address the needs of the worker. Workplace needs addressed (i.e. reassignment of duties, temporary employees hired, equipment replacement, etc.) Investigation should be completed.
A completed investigation should answer the following questions:
1. What happened?
The investigation should describe what took place that prompted the investigation: an injury to an employee, an incident that caused a production delay, damaged material or any other conditions recognized as having a potential for losses or delays.
2. Why did the incident happen?
The investigation must obtain all the facts surrounding the occurrence: what caused the situation to occur; who was involved; was/were the employee(s) qualified to perform the functions involved in the accident or near miss; were they properly trained; were proper operating procedures established for the task involved; were procedures followed, and if not, why not; where else this or a similar situation might exist, and how it can be corrected.
3. What should be done?
The person conducting the investigation must determine which aspects of the operation or processes require additional attention. It is important to note that the purpose here is not to establish blame, but to determine what type of constructive action can eliminate the cause(s) of the accident or near miss.
4. What action has been taken?
Action already taken to reduce or eliminate the exposures being investigated should be noted, along with those remaining to be addressed. Any interim or temporary precautions should also be noted. Any pending corrective action and reason for delaying its implementation should be identified.
Don’t forget to follow up with the employee at least 3 times within the first 48 hours. It makes a real difference to the employee, assists with workforce planning, and can provide critical investigation information.
OSHA – Occupational Safety & Health Administration has a handbook for Small Businesses that you can download for free. Just visit their website:
http://www.osha.gov/Publications/smallbusiness/small-business.html
This handbook not only helps small business employers meet the legal requirements imposed by OSHA, it provides great resources and information that can be immediately accessed and implemented.
Remember, the information provided in this broadcast is not intended for use as a source of legal advice. Seek legal counsel for these and any other personnel matters.
