Everyone seems to focus on manufacturing and construction when it comes to employee safety. But employee safety affects all employers, even those in offices or other seemingly safe places.
But as you probably know, safety is relevant to every industry. When we asked 428 employers what aspects of safety were most challenging. 58% of surveyed employers said awareness, prevention, training, or responding to hazards were challenges. Additionally, all industries represented in the survey voiced at least one challenge.
Check out more insights from employers in the full report here.
Of course, not every client will be as aware. When talking with any of your insureds about occupational safety measures, here are four points to bring up:
First, there’s the law. OSHA requires almost all employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that may cause death or serious harm to employees. OSHA has consistently cited employers for general duty violations throughout the years.
But OSHA is just a place to start. These regulations are not an arbitrary benchmark. They are the minimum standards for safety, not an arbitrary benchmark. Your clients should be viewing OSHA’s standards as a place to start, rather than a place to stop. That makes for a safer workplace and a stronger defense during litigation.
Second, injuries and illnesses happen in all industries. The most recent government data shows that every industry reported a nonfatal injury or illness in 2020 that involved employees missing days from work. And remember this was during the pandemic where a hefty portion of the workforce was working from home.
Third, there are a couple types of injuries and illnesses that are particularly relevant right now.
Of course, not all industries have the same amount of risk. But employee safety affects all employers. State workers compensation laws, potential disability accommodations, temporary staffing, and insurance premium hikes aren’t isolated to high-risk jobs. Injuries and illnesses can create legal and financial headaches for employers when they arise, regardless of likelihood.
Small businesses typically don’t have the resources to manage human resources, compliance, and health and safety all on their own. Benefits brokers can help clients to reevaluate short-term and long-term disability plans in addition to health coverage.
Property and casualty brokers can help clients become aware of and prevent potential hazards in their workplaces as well as better understand what their insurance covers in the case of illness or injury.
But here’s what Mineral has found most compelling for broker partners of both disciplines: providing HR and compliance solutions, which often include health and safety measures, to their clients.
As we’ve said, employee safety affects all employers. Here are six reasons that human resources folks should be handling occupational health and safety issues at your organization.
The post Employee Health and Safety Affects All Employers appeared first on Mineral.