5 Ways to Reduce the Risk of Employee Injuries

It doesn’t matter if your small business has one employee or a thousand. Keeping workers safe is an important part of running a company. Here are five tips for reducing the risk of employee injuries. 

#1: Create a Culture That Thrives on Safety 

Creating a business culture that thrives on safety is vital to protecting employees. Giving employees a reason to maintain safe working conditions is also important. Consider special incentives or programs designed to build a culture of safety through reward. 

#2: Remember Emergency Exits 

Keeping emergency exits easily marked and clear of clutter is more than just a good idea. Under certain circumstances it could save lives. Use appropriate signage and ensure that the doorways are always free from excess clutter. Also keep the area clear of spills or other debris. 

#3: Encourage Regular Breaks 

Tired or fatigued employees account for a large percentage of on-the-job injuries. Keep your staff safe by encouraging regular breaks. Also ensure employees have appropriate time-off and personal support. Keep schedules reasonable and do not overwork staff to the point of making dangerous mistakes. Most workplace laws require these procedures anyway. 

#4: Never Take Shortcuts on Procedures 

Most workplace injuries happen due to employees taking shortcuts on common safety procedures. In some cases, this is due to employer direction. Maintain a stance that nobody in your organization can deviate from basic bottom line rules geared towards safety. 

#5: Remember that Consistency is Key 

If you can’t remember the last time you held a safety meeting, it is time to take action. Consistency is key when creating an environment that is healthy and safe for your team. Put a safety review on your calendar periodically and follow through as much as possible. 

Does a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) Cover an Employee Injury Claim? 

A business owner’s policy (BOP) typically won’t cover you for an employee injury claim or lawsuit. Instead, you will likely need coverage like workers’ compensation and EPLI coverage.  

Rather, you would use a business owner’s policy to protect your company against other types of liability risk. Typically, they cover situations where harm to someone else is a result of things that you and your employees do or fail to do in your business operations and interactions with third parties. This includes things that may cause injury or property damage to clients. BOPs also typically cover elements such as business interruption insurance and property insurance for buildings and contents owned by the company. Nevertheless, these tips are still great to put in place to create an safe environment for everyone.