When it comes to workers compensation, there is more to it than just premium. Every accident comes with direct costs and indirect costs – or sometimes known as hidden costs. The question you might be asking now is “how do indirect costs for workplace accidents impact companies?”
Impacts of Indirect Costs:
- For every $1 of direct claim cost, there are an additional $4-$5 of indirect costs.
- Indirect costs are more difficult to quantify and can be unpredictable.
- Indirect costs are absorbed by the employer; insurance does not contribute.
All these things leave companies vulnerable and can lead to devastating fanatical blows. Now that you see the significance, learning about these costs can help companies create an action plan. In this post, we will list the indirect costs for workplace accidents and give tips to minimize them.
Identify Indirect Costs
Paperwork
Processing workers’ compensation claims involves administrative tasks. Time and resources spent on paperwork can add up, taking away from other critical tasks.
Project delays
Accidents can disrupt project schedules. Delays in completing projects can result in additional costs. These costs can be labor expenses, contractual deadline penalties, or loss of future business.
In addition, equipment used to finish the project may be out of service. This involves delays in the project timeline and may require new or rented equipment to be purchased.
Overtime
Overtime might be needed to maintain productivity levels while the injured worker is away. Wages for overtime are typically higher than regular pay and can strain a budget if prolonged. Overtime can also result in employee fatigue, increasing their risk on injury.
Production loss
Having employees pick up the slack or throwing a new worker into the mix can result in production loss. The longer it takes to recover, the more significant the loss becomes.
You may also be asked to stop production for a few hours or days to investigate and take corrective actions. Attorneys, OSHA representatives, or police officers (this depends on the situation) may stop in to ask questions.
Investigation costs
Conducting investigations to determine the root cause is necessary, but a lot of time that goes into it. Supervisor or team members spend time on filling out forms, reporting, implementing corrective actions, and assisting with any tasks that will ensure the injured employees well-being and that they return to work.
Increased work comp mod
The Experience modification factor is the numerical indicator of how much risk is associated with the company. The higher the mod, the higher insurance premiums over time.
Employee turnover
Accidents may impact employee job satisfaction, effecting moral and higher turnover rates. Recruiting, hiring, and training new employees costs time and money. Also, the higher your company’s turnover rate, the harder it may be to hire qualified employees.
Cost of replacement workers
If injured employees need to be replaced temporarily, costs can include advertising, time spent conduction interviews, background checks, and onboarding process.
Legal fees
Workers’ compensation claims or legal disputes may require legal representation. Consultations, court appearances and settlement negotiations can be costly.
OSHA penalties
Non-compliance with OSHA regulations can result in penalties and fines.
Loss of goodwill
A negative impact on a company’s reputation due to workplace incidents can affect customer loyalty. Costs to repair goodwill can include public relation tasks, recruitment efforts, and proving regulatory compliance.
Minimize Indirect Costs for Workplace Accidents
- Focus on workplace safety: Implement comprehensive safety programs, conduct regular safety training sessions, and enforce safety protocols to prevent accidents and injuries.
- Promptly report incidents: Encourage employees to report any workplace injuries or accidents immediately, even if they seem minor, to address issues promptly and prevent them from escalating.
- Provide immediate medical attention: Ensure injured employees receive prompt and appropriate medical treatment to prevent the worsening of injuries and minimize potential long-term costs. See if a nurse-triage program can benefit your business.
- Investigate incidents thoroughly: Conduct a thorough investigation of workplace incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective measures that prevent similar accidents from happening in the future.
- Stay connected with injured employees: Maintain regular communication with injured employees to understand their recovery progress and provide necessary support during the rehabilitation process.
- Work closely with work comp professionals: Make sure you work with the right work comp professional who encourages communication and knows their stuff. Establish a strong partnership with your workers’ compensation claims administrators or insurance carriers. Maintain open lines of communication and promptly providing required documentation to facilitate efficient claims processing.
- Utilize return-to-work programs: Implement return-to-work programs that facilitate the smooth transition of injured employees back into the workplace as soon as they are medically able, reducing the duration of disability and associated costs.
- Offer transitional work options: Explore possibilities for modified duty or transitional work arrangements that allow injured employees to return to work in a limited capacity while they recover, minimizing lost productivity and wage replacement costs.
- Engage in cost containment strategies: Collaborate with your claims administrators to implement cost containment measures, such as utilization review of medical treatments, negotiated fee schedules, and establish medical provider networks to control medical and claim-related expenses.
- Organize documents: make sure you fill out all forms, keep documents organized, and keep documents for the required amount of time. This can help with staying away from OSHA fines and makes sure claim reporting goes smoothly.
Remember, it’s always advisable to consult with professionals such as risk managers, insurance providers, and legal experts to customize your approach based on your specific industry, location, and organizational needs.