Return to Work (RTW)
The single most powerful tool an employer has in controlling its workers’ compensation costs is immediately providing meaningful work.
FEBRUARY TIP: It is in your company’s best interest to match the work pattern (full-time vs. part-time) for modified duty. For example: if an injured worker was hired for 25 hours, match those hours with a return-to-work position.
WFIA Safety
Excellence in Safety Award Applications
The Washington Food Industry Association has begun accepting applications for the Excellence in Safety Awards. This award is a way to recognize employers who focus on employee safety and accident prevention. One winner from each employer premium size group (small, medium, large) will receive a cash reward. Go to the WFIA Excellence in Safety Awards website for more information.
Ladder Safety
While many of us consider bigger, heavier equipment the most dangerous to use, it is time to recognize a more common “tool” as the number one culprit of potentially severe incidents in the workplace. Portable ladders top the list of functional equipment used at work and home, yet we regularly overlook their inherent dangers. Visit the OSHA website for a list of tips to keep workers safe when using portable ladders. Register for the American Ladder Institute’s Ladder Safety Training Program to start your free ladder safety training.
Horseplay at Work – It’s No Joke!
It’s not uncommon for workers to need to step away, if only for a moment, to escape the stress and routine of their day-to-day work. It’s in these moments that horseplay often ensues, and what may seem like harmless relief can lead to serious injuries, which are allowable workers’ compensation claims.
What is horseplay?
Horseplay is rough or rowdy play or pranks that occur in the workplace – such as playing jokes that involve physical contact, racing, grabbing, foolish vehicle operation, and social pressure to participate in unsafe acts.
What’s the harm?
Don’t view horseplay on the job as harmless fun. When an employee is fooling around, they are not concentrating on their work.
Horseplay directed at others is even more dangerous – they are not expecting the distraction and could easily have an accident such as falling into a moving machine part, slipping on the floor, or knocking boxes into a person. Workplace horseplay incidents may lead to serious injuries at work, divide the workplace, and prevent employees from getting their jobs done.
Take precautions.
What can you do as an employer to prevent horseplay incidents?
- Lead by example.
- Have a policy that clearly states that employees are to refrain from engaging in horseplay and a procedure for employees to report unsafe behaviors.
- Provide a safe and healthy work environment for all employees.
- Ensure that employees understand and follow company operating practices and safety procedures.
Encourage other safe ways to have fun at work.
You and your employees work hard – so while horseplay isn’t the answer, there are safe ways you can have fun at work and help your employees build relationships.
- Set up a “creativity” station in the break room – a quick craft, cardmaking, photo booth, etc.
- Establish programs or contests for staff members – a chili-cook off, lunch break trivia, a cookie exchange, a photo contest, or fitness tracking/competition.
- Make time to celebrate – birthdays, work anniversaries, retirement, etc.
- Forego the uniform for a day and let employees enjoy a “casual Friday” or show support for their favorite team by wearing fan gear.
OSHA Recordkeeping
Time to get up-close and personal with those OSHA logs and clean up Worker Injury and Illness records, in preparation for the recordkeeping scramble. Remember that if you are a “covered employer,” you have some obligations:
- If you are non-exempt from OSHA 300 recordkeeping requirements, you must keep a recordkeeping log and post your OSHA 300A Summary report in an area available to employees and employee representatives. Logs must be posted February 1st – April 30th. Find out if your business establishment is exempt for OSHA 300 recordkeeping.
- Specific businesses are required to provide an OSHA Form 300A Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses in electronic format to Federal OSHA by March 2, 2021. Find out if you are required to report your logs electronically.
For safety or OSHA 300 Recordkeeping questions, please reach out to Brent Olson 253.237.
Helpful Safety Information
How do you know if your floors are safe?
Slip and fall injuries are among the leading causes of serious injuries and time-loss within the workplace. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the average hospital cost for a slip-and-fall injury is more than $30,000. On February 16, ERNwest is partnering with the National Floor Safety Institute to host a webinar titled, Solving Your Slip and Fall Problem in 5 Easy Steps. The webinar will include tips on using the correct flooring type, selecting the right cleaning products, floor matting, and hazard warning signs, and using appropriate footwear. Join us for this educational webinar and get some traction on these types of claims. Check out our Upcoming ERNwest Webinar Training section below to register.
Upcoming ERNwest Webinar Training
Select a topic for more information about these new, ERNwest-specific trainings and to register.
February 9, 2021 at 10am | Supervising for Safety
February 16, 2021 at 10am | Solving Your Slip and Fall Problems in 5 Easy Steps
March 9, 2021 at 10am | Mentoring for Safety – Coaching vs Discipline
March 16, 2021 at 10am | Reduce Lift Injuries and Stop Doing What Doesn’t Work!
ERNwest presents topics such as Understanding Industrial Insurance Rates, What is Retro? and Using Kept on Salary and Modified Duty Effectively on a monthly basis. Find more information about each online at ernwest.com/training.
Latest COVID-19 Updates
Additional Retro Resources
WFIA Safety Resources
Access WHCA and general safety resources. Learn more.
Workplace incident or injury?
Contact ERNwest first.
Report incidents immediately so that your claims manager is aware and can help guide you through the process. ERNwest.com/report-an-incident
Contacts
WFIA Retro Questions?
Julie Osterberg, WFIA Group Manager (253) 881-5669 | JOsterberg@ernwest.com
WFIA Safety Questions?
Brent Olson, WFIA Safety Manager (253) 237-0803 | BOlson@ernwest.com