Accidents can occur at any time, including at the workplace. When an injury occurs as a result of an accident the business, the employee, the employee’s family, co-workers and others are all affected. In fact, according to the Economic Policy Institute, workplace injuries in the U.S. impact the economy by almost $200 billion annually. To minimize the risks of injuries at a work site, there are work zone equipment and tools that can help.
Take Jeff, for example. Jeff is an exemplary employee in a local warehouse. One day he is in a rush to fill an order and uses an improper lifting technique, injuring his back. Jeff’s injury requires surgery and Jeff could have back issues for the rest of his life.
When an injury occurs, the impact can be widespread. Jeff’s accident, while not fatal, will also affect the business’ bottom line. The business could see at least a temporary decrease in productivity, causing increased payroll expenses; there is also the possibility of increased insurance costs.
Not all accidents can be avoided, but there are steps you can take to minimize the risks. One is to include your insurance agent in your annual safety reviews. The agent can help review your current program and keep you informed of new additions that may benefit your employees and your business. A good resource for understanding both the upfront and indirect costs of an injury in your specific workplace is this “$afety Pays” calculator provided by OSHA. Having an idea of your costs will help you and your agent choose the coverage that’s right for your company.
Your local agent has access to helpful resources that can minimize the impact of a workplace accident on your business. You don’t have to wait for your annual renewal to make sure you’re covered – take the time today to reach out to your insurance agent to make sure you’re covered.
