Workplace accidents are unfortunately common — especially in the manufacturing and light industrial industries — but many employers don't take the additional, necessary steps after an incident has been reported and handled. Workplace safety programs are in place to ensure employers are taking the time to comply with OSHA guidelines and reduce the number of accidents or incidents in the workplace, which in turn keeps employees safe. It can also help to keep insurance rates down. Fewer accidents will also increase productivity and profitability while helping you retain your hardworking employees. Here are some important guidelines to follow after a workplace accident occurs.

Make Sure Employees Know What to Do

Your employees may be witness to an accident or be involved with an accident indirectly. Every employee should know what to do in the event of an incident and determine what the most appropriate course of action would be if they are in an unsafe situation. They need to be mindful of unsafe work areas and know who to turn to in the event of a serious incident.

Enforce a Commitment to the Safety Program

All senior managers and even the company owner needs to be aware of the safety program and ensure all of their staff are complying with safety standards. Making sure the management team is emphasizing the importance of workplace safety and taking steps to enforce standards is critical to the success of the company.

Increase Employee Awareness

Make sure all existing and future employees are aware of the importance of safety standards and workplace safety in general. Create posters to hang up around employee common areas and make sure employees are aware of any changes or modifications to a safety program. Encourage managers to include workplace safety as part of the new hire training program.

Have an Accident Investigation Plan in Place

Prepare an accident plan to ensure management can investigate an accident and document everything properly. Take the time to interview individuals that may have been involved in the accident and research the situation to ensure you have accurate records and documentation.

Maintain Accurate Documentation

In addition to required OSHA documentation such as 300 logs and Material Safety Data Sheets, you'll need quick access to documentation about healthcare providers, worker's compensation coverage, liability and automotive insurance, post-accident drug screen policies, and other critical information. Make sure everything is accessible and filed appropriately, so you have easy access to these documents when you need it. These files will need to include an area for workplace incident reports and any information about changes to safety policies and procedures.

Review Details from Insurance Carriers

It's a good idea to check in with insurance carriers once in a while to review details about policies and guidelines on submitting claims. Make sure to update files every few months to keep everything current.

Workplace accidents can happen at any time and your company needs to take steps to ensure a workplace safety program is enforced. Contact Bear Staffing for more information about employment laws and managing workplace accidents.

Key Takeaways:

• Make sure you have an accident investigation plan in place.
• Increase employee awareness about workplace safety measures.
• Enforce a commitment to the safety program across the organization.