Manufacturing industry employers are responsible for thousands of workers in an environment where heavy machinery, repetitive motions, and hazardous materials are common. These activities are incredibly dangerous and can lead to severe workplace injuries, which can affect employee well-being and directly impact a company's bottom line. The more incidents that a company records, the more its productivity is affected and the higher its premiums from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation.
The good news is that these incidents are preventable. A focus on proactive safety measures is not just about compliance; it's a strategic investment in your people and profitability. This post covers proactive workplace safety tips that Ohio manufacturers can adopt to reduce injuries and minimize claims.
How Safety Affects Workers' Compensation Claims
There is a direct relationship between worker compensation claims and workplace safety. Implementing adequate safety measures can prevent many incidents from occurring. Frequent workplace injuries can also directly impact your company's experience modification rate (EMR). This is the ratio of your company's claim history to that of similar businesses in your industry. An EMR greater than “1” indicates that your company experiences more workplace accidents than the average company in your industry, leading to more expensive premiums.
Beyond the financial impact, patterns in claims can highlight hidden risks in your workplace. For example, an increase in back injury claims from one department may indicate poor ergonomics or improper lifting techniques. Similarly, frequent cuts or injuries in a specific area may suggest inadequate machine guarding or wrong use of PPE.
By connecting the dots between claim patterns and workplace injuries, you can detect and address the root causes before the next incident happens. This promotes a culture of workplace safety while also reducing long-term claim costs.
Five Proactive Workplace Safety Tips for Ohio Manufacturers
You can proactively implement numerous workplace safety tips to reduce the severity and frequency of injury.
1. Conduct Regular Risk Assessments
A strong safety program that includes walkthroughs and regular inspections means identifying hazards before they cause any harm and serves as a foundation for injury prevention. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration provides detailed guidelines on how to identify and assess potential hazards, such as:
- Trip hazards and poor lighting
- Blocked exits
- Poor air quality
- Noise levels
- Exposure to hazardous substances
- Improper machine guarding
Encourage your employees to report near-miss incidents, as this can provide valuable insight into potential risks.
2. Invest In Ongoing Training and a Safety-First Culture
Training your workers isn't a one-time activity; it's a continuous process that must be tailored to the company. New employees should undergo a thorough onboarding session before resuming work. This should cover:
- Safe machine operation
- Proper lifting and ergonomics
- Emergency evacuation procedures
- Injury reporting procedures
You should also invest in training your older employees. These refresher courses reinforce best practices and keep workers updated on any changes in safety regulations. The Ohio BWC offers various safety training programs in multiple formats.
This continuous learning approach enhances safety and demonstrates your commitment to your employees' well-being and professional development. You can also promote a safety-first culture by actively modeling correct behavior and recognizing employees who follow safety protocols. Other ways to promote a safety-first culture include:
- Beginning each shift with a short safety talk
- Encouraging peer-to-peer coaching
- Offering incentives for accident-free periods
3. Provide the Right Safety Equipment and Tools
Your workers need the right tools and equipment to keep them protected. You should:
- Ensure that personal protective equipment (PPE) is available and fits properly
- Post clear exit signs and keep all emergency routes unblocked
- Properly label equipment with its operational instructions and hazard warnings
- Install safety signs near machines, chemical storage, and high-traffic areas
Also, conduct routine checks to ensure that PPE is sufficient and in good working condition.
4. Maintain Equipment and Enforce Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Procedure
Many workplace emergencies are linked to faulty or poorly maintained equipment, so it’s vital to implement a preventive maintenance schedule. This will help prevent accidents linked to faulty machines and reduce the downtime and loss of productivity associated with unexpected breakdowns.
You should also keep detailed maintenance logs. These can improve machine lifespan, avoid costly repairs, and help you track performance. Lastly, faulty machines should be removed immediately, as seemingly inconsequential faults can cause significant injuries in the workplace.
LOTO procedures are critical for protecting employees during maintenance, as workers won’t accidentally start a machine that is being serviced. Proper LOTO training includes identifying and cutting off all energy sources and using the correct lockout devices. Machine engineers should also confirm that the energy source has been isolated before starting work.
5. Use Claims Data to Guide Safety Improvements
Workers' compensation claims aren't just administrative paperwork; they are essential for improving workplace safety. Reviewing your claim histories from your third-party administrator and the BWC can help you identify patterns, trends, and common denominators.
You can map out injuries to discover:
- The department with the highest number of cases
- The type of injury that is most common
- The time of day when injuries occur the most
- The type of task that's associated with the most incidents
Let CSI Help You Bridge the Gap Between Safety and Claims
Workplace safety and workers' compensation go hand in hand. Ohio manufacturing businesses can protect their people, lower their EMR, and reduce downtime by adopting a proactive approach.
CSI specializes in helping Ohio businesses identify safety weaknesses, manage claims, and implement cost-saving strategies. Whether you need a claims review, safety program audit, or EMR analysis, it provides the expertise to help you operate safely and profitably.
Workplace safety and workers’ compensation are closely linked. Ohio manufacturing businesses can reduce workers’ compensation claims and premium costs by prioritizing proactive EHS strategies and injury prevention. It’s time to bridge the gap between safety and savings. Protect your workforce and reduce your costs. Discover how CSI can help you lower your workers’ compensation expenses.
