Managing safe driving at work

This is the third in a four-part series of SFM blogs recapping our June 2024 webinar, Driving Safety, An SFM webinar for policyholders .

Employers know that save driving is important, but how can they convey that to workers and ensure those practices are put into place?

Answering that question during SFM’s safe driving webinar was Jason Clausen, Loss Prevention Specialist.

“Managing your driving exposure has similarities to other hazards you manage in the workplace, but the consequences of a motor vehicle accident can be significant,” said Clausen, who is also a reserve deputy sheriff in Iowa. “It is common knowledge that driving is hazardous and even the safest drivers can have a bad day on the road. Knowing how to create a driving program, set expectations, provide training and uphold your safe driving expectations goes a long way in helping reduce the risks while driving.”

 

 

Clausen’s presentation touched on eight key points regarding managing safe driving for the workplace:

  • Organizational commitment to safe driving
  • Having written policies and procedures in place
  • Selecting safe drivers
  • Creating signed agreements for safe driving
  • Ensuring strong processes for vehicle selection, maintenance and inspection
  • Establishing a crash reporting and inspection process
  • Crafting a disciplinary action system
  • Providing driving training

Meanwhile, he also talked about specific scenarios, safe driving techniques, modern tools for safety and more.

Check out the complete recording of webinar , and keep an eye out for other blogs highlighting sections of the presentation.

Lastly, you can find previous SFM workers’ compensation webinars on our website.

The work comp claims process following a driving incident

This is the second in a four-part series of SFM blogs recapping our June 2024 webinar, Driving Safety, An SFM webinar for policyholders .

What does the workers’ compensation claims process look like following a driving incident?

That was what Colleen Drum, SFM Claims Technical Specialist, discussed during our recent webinar dedicated to safe driving.

Her presentation illuminated several important factors for policyholders to consider following a driving incident, including:

  • What is, or is not, a work-related driving crash
  • Employer policies regarding driving
  • The process for reporting claims

See her portion of the webinar here:

Other highlights of Drum’s presentation included:

  • The importance of filing claims immediately
  • Examples of first report of injury forms
  • The basics of claims assessments
  • Subrogation efforts, in certain situations
  • The information needed to move forward with a claim
  • The benefits of light-duty jobs for injured employees

Drum also outlined how investigations, and video evidence, function in case of a claim regarding driving-related work injuries. She detailed the different types of claims and what employers should do under each situation, as well as return-to-work considerations, medical exams and more items for employers to monitor.

It’s also vital to note how disputes can arise during a litigated claim involving a driving incident.

Check out the complete recording of webinar , and keep an eye out for other blogs highlighting sections of the presentation.

Lastly, you can find previous SFM workers’ compensation webinars on our website.

SFM featured resources: Avoiding common injuries

Sometimes, it’s best to start with the basics. From a workers’ compensation perspective, that starts with avoiding common injuries.

While employers may fear a catastrophic injury at work, but helping prevent the everyday incident is just as important. Plus, cutting down on common injuries will help reduce claims and improve your bottom line.

Here are three featured resources for avoiding common injuries.

1. Lift safely (5-Minute Solution)

This resource gives you a quick reference on the four keys to lifting items in a safe manner. It also comes with three bonus tips to keep employees safe.

For more information, see our blog Safe lifting techniques for preventing injury.

2. Dude, focus! (poster)

This poster generates awareness of the hazards of using a device or being distracted while walking or working and promotes safety. See the poster in the SFM Resource Catalog.

Looking for more in-depth information on limiting workplace distractions? Check out our blog, Constant distraction can harm employees’ well-being.

3. General housekeeping (SIT)

This Supervisor Initiated Training (SIT) helps you address specific safety issues, including the importance of maintaining a tidy workspace. Download it now.

For more ways to keep your employees safe, search our resource catalog.

Why you need to watch out for workplace bullies

by Kathy Bray, Esq.

When you hear the word “bullying” do you think of a child being taunted on the playground, or a teen being harassed online?

Unfortunately, bullying doesn’t end with childhood. The Workplace Bullying Institute estimates that 60.3 million U.S. workers are affected by bullying.

As an employer, running an inclusive, respectful and bully-free workplace can help your employees and your organization thrive.

The following are some basics for employers on workplace bullying and how to prevent it.

What is workplace bullying?

Workplace bullying is repeated, health-harming mistreatment by one or more employees of an employee: abusive conduct that takes the form of verbal abuse; or behaviors perceived as threatening, intimidating, or humiliating; work sabotage; or in some combination of the above, according to the Workplace Bullying Institute.

What can employers do to prevent workplace bullying?

As an employer, you can institute policies and procedures to make your workplace welcoming for all. Take the following steps to promote a workplace that supports an open exchange of ideas, without fear of belittling or disrespect:

  • Employ intentional hiring and promotional practices that recognize and reward positive interpersonal relationship traits
  • Call references and past employers, and ask about whether the job candidate exhibited threatening or violent behavior
  • Do a thorough criminal background check
  • After hire, make anti-bullying and anti-harassment training part of your orientation process. Make sure your anti-harassment and business conduct policies include multiple avenues for reporting concerns
  • A retaliation policy is also important. By clearly prohibiting retaliation against anyone who reports a violation of the law or company policy, you’ll not only make it more likely that someone will come forward if they’re being bullied, but also remind employees that it may be illegal to discriminate against a good faith complaint reporting a violation of company policy

Consult with your legal counsel to lawfully structure your policies and procedures regarding workplace bullying.

Is it illegal?

That depends on the situation. If the bullying is based on race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), a disability or genetic information it’s possible it could be a form of harassment , which is illegal. If you are operating in one of the 22 states or the District of Columbia with laws expressly preventing discrimination based on sexual orientation (e.g., Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin), bullying on that basis also could be actionable. Physical violence and threats are also illegal.

There’s a national campaign to pass a Healthy Workplace Bill , which would make workplace bullying illegal and allow workers to sue their bullies individually. The bill has been introduced in 30 states, according to the Workplace Bullying Institute website, but Puerto Rico is the first in the United States to enact a workplace bullying law, which was signed into law in August 2020 .

What does workplace bullying have to do with workers’ compensation?

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1970 , employers are required to provide a safe workplace. One aspect of workplace safety is addressing the risk of workplace violence , which OSHA defines as “any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site.”

Getting employees back to work as soon as they are medically able is an important goal following an occupational injury. Creating a safe and positive workplace will increase the likelihood of return to work success.

Conclusion

Employees have a right to a safe workplace.

And employees who feel welcomed and happy are likely to be more productive, develop stronger relationships with their coworkers, and overall be more satisfied with their work. For more, read our blog, Why employee happiness is so important.

Originally published in July 2021; updated in September 2024.

The data on dangerous driving

This is the first in a four-part series of SFM blogs recapping our June 2024 webinar, Driving Safety, An SFM webinar for policyholders .

What does the underlying data say about dangerous driving?

As part of SFM’s safe driving webinar, Abby Halland, Senior Business Intelligence Technical Analyst, broke down the workers’ compensation costs of dangerous driving, as well as public perception regarding certain unsafe activities.

Pulling information from SFM’s own database and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Halland discussed:

  • Claims costs for motor vehicle crashes
  • Litigation figures for claims involving crashes
  • Cultural perceptions of risky driving behavior

See her portion of the webinar here:

Interesting findings from Halland’s presentation include:

  • Claims from crashes are 2.5 times more expensive than all other claims
  • Crashes are litigated 40% of the time, compared to 15% for other types of claims
  • A survey by AAA found 30% of drivers used a handheld device while driving and 50% drive 15 mph or faster on the freeway

“It’s key that we review ways in which to reduce the occurrence of these claims and mitigate the severity,” Halland said.

Check out the complete recording of the webinar , and keep an eye out for other blogs highlighting sections of the presentation.

Lastly, you can find previous SFM workers’ compensation webinars on our website.

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