SAFETY MATTERS

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Encouraging Compliance

As managers we all work hard to prevent lost-time accidents, avoid recordable incidents and prevent accidents in general.  We study the CFR 1926, relate lessons learned and take steps to train our workers in accident prevention.  After all this work in prevention, we can still find ourselves at the end of the year with unfavorable records.

I would like to take time to share some of the best practices industry leaders have been using to keep their lost-time accident low and the cost per incident manageable.

Good case management starts well before any accident occurs.  During the setup of a new project, the company needs to establish a relationship with an Occupational Injury Clinic that understands the nature of on-the-job accidents with regard to managing cases.  A representative from your company needs to visit the doctors beforehand to inform them of the company’s return to work program and light duty opportunities.  In the case of a specialty contractor, where the General Contractor has an Owner Controlled Insurance Program (OCIP), further steps must be taken with the General Contractor to go to the approved clinic and have the correct authorization paperwork available.  Another good item to discuss with the clinic doctor is if the doctor sees the need to prescribe an over-the-counter medicine, like ibuprofen, that he/she does it verbally.  This is one small way that can help keep the accident from being a recordable incident. 

When there is an accident on the site, there are important steps that they can be taken to assure excellent case management.  It is imperative that the injured worker be taken to the clinic by the supervisor or safety person from the company. Not only that, but they should also remain at the clinic while their worker is receiving treatment.  After the initial treatment, the manager should make sure the injured employee is released to drive and help secure a ride back to their vehicle.  The most important thing is that the worker knows they are not alone and that the company cares about their well-being.

Two very necessary and urgent words must be remembered when dealing with accidents:  FOLLOW UP! 

If the worker is released to work, make sure instructions are clear as to where they are to report and what tasks they will be assigned.  In the unfortunate case where a worker is hospitalized, a representative from the company should visit daily to stay aware of any changing conditions.  When a worker is assigned light duty, they should be visited daily to make sure they are working within the confines of the restrictions and comfortable with the assignment(s). 

Effective case management involves many components of a company, from supervisors to safety personnel and administrative personnel.  When everyone works together in coordinating a pre- and post-accident plan, your organization will be reap the benefits when it comes to recordkeeping and reporting accidents.

Your feedback is always welcome and appreciated! Please email Ladd Henley at ladd@texoassociation.org if I can assist with your company’s safety.