How workplace injuries affect your business and what to do to reduce them 

A workplace accident is the last thing you’d ever want to experience when you are a business owner. In fact, this is one of the most distressing challenges your business could face, as it doesn’t only lead to physical injuries but also affects the emotional well-being of both employees and employers.

Unfortunately, work-related injuries are common – and when they occur, the consequences aren’t only devastating for the victim but also for your business. Accidents at the workplace can lead to loss of productivity, decreased staff morale, increased absenteeism, and temporary – and even permanent – closure. Considering all these harmful effects, employers should work with staff to implement safety measures and ensure the best working conditions. This article discusses the impact of workplace accidents on businesses and what employers can do to reduce the risks of injuries. 

What are the costs of workplace injuries?

Workplace injuries have direct and indirect costs on your business, and the indirect impact can be ten times higher than the direct one. When a workplace accident occurs – whether it’s a car crash in the company’s vehicle or a slip and fall injury – the company loses a vital asset – the employee. Indirect costs include: 

• Lost productivity. When a worker is unable to work, the staff’s overall productivity declines. Even if co-workers assume extra responsibilities for a while, it will negatively impact the time and focus related to their own tasks.
• Administrative time. Another indirect cost is that you’ll have to spend several hours processing paperwork and documentation related to the process, which can negatively impact your business, as time is one of your most significant resources. 
• Training replacement employees. Hiring a new worker is time-consuming and costly. The training required to bring them up to speed will likely affect your business expenses. The general job training where employees learn as they go is affordable, but training a worker before they’re ready to perform their job tasks involves higher costs. Therefore, besides paying the entry wages of trainees, you’ll also have to cover expenses for off-site courses or training staff’s salaries. 

     Besides the indirect costs, there are also direct ones which can be substantial. These include:

• Medical compensation. An employee who suffers a workplace injury is entitled to benefit from worker’s compensation as they recover. Even if the claim process is generally straightforward, some guidelines determine whether your illness or injury qualifies for compensation, and you must follow specific procedures. Supposing your employees believe you didn’t ensure a safe work environment, they can contact a solicitor to help them file a claim against your company. Several platforms like InjuryAtWorkClaimsExpert are easily accessible, so they won’t have any difficulty finding a personal injury lawyer to guide them in the legal process. 
• Legal services costs. It’s common knowledge that legal counsel is costly, as you have to work closely with the attorney you hire to resolve the workplace injury incident. 
• Record keeping and accident investigation. Regardless of how severe the employee’s injury is, an accident investigation and proper claim accounting are critical. Consequently, there will be costs for record-keeping and accident investigation. 

Undoubtedly, workplace injuries have severe consequences on your business. Besides the financial effects and causing disruption in your operations, an accident at work can damage a company’s reputation. People will be suspicious and start believing that the company doesn’t prioritise their employees’ well-being and health. Prospective partners and clients will take the negative reputation as a red flag, and they likely won’t be able to trust the company. 

Luckily, you can avoid this catastrophic scenario by creating a safe workplace. This is critical to maintain workforce morale and succeed in a competitive market. It’s imperative to realise that it’s possible to prevent workplace injuries – as long as you put your employee’s safety first. Often, accidents don’t occur only due to a mishap or small mistake from a busy employee. Many workplace accidents are a consequence of the employee or employers’ negligence. Therefore, the solution to prevent workplace injuries is to put in place several safety procedures. Here is what business owners can do to protect their employees:

Incorporate a wellness and safety plan

Creating a comprehensive wellness plan is a critical step in preventing workplace accidents. The document should include a detailed description of safety policies and procedures for: 

• Documenting any workplace incident;
• Performing safety-related tasks;
• Notifying management about potential hazards. 

         Developing such a plan allows employees to understand the management’s expectations, thus, preventing miscommunication and potential legal issues if any accident occurs. 

Provide protection equipment

Protection equipment is critical – therefore, you should enforce it at hiring and meetings. Depending on the work environment, personal protective equipment can include:

• Gloves;
• Waist belts;
• Goggles;
• Reflective vests;
• Ear coverings;
• Helmets;
• Harnesses, etc.

It’s essential to train new workers on the proper use of the equipment. Also, you should perform spontaneous safety audits to ensure employees follow the rules and use the protective equipment adequately. 

Besides protective equipment, you may also need to provide your employees with safety equipment for work zones, such as first aid kits and signs. 

Educate your employees

Educating your employees on possible safety risks and adequate workplace procedures can help them understand the hazards of their jobs and how they can decrease the chances of getting injured. 

Thus, you should hold regular training to reinforce actual policies and update them on safety standards changes. The training depends on the industry, and it may include:

• Accident reporting;
• Adequate lifting techniques;
• Location of equipment like fire extinguishers that they need to use for emergencies;
• Procedures for handling dangerous materials.

Address workers needs

Another thing you can do to prevent workplace accidents is to ensure your employees’ needs are met. You can do this by ensuring you have enough team members on board to complete several tasks. This way, you prevent overwhelm and burnout among your staff. 

Hiring enough employees ensures overtime won’t be necessary, and employees can take breaks. When they get enough time off and rest, they are more motivated, more focused and engaged, which can help reduce workplace accidents.