Seminar SafetyWC

Slide2: 

Safety and Workers’ Compensation: Basics of Supervisor Accountability 11/17/04

The role of accountabilityin creating a safe work environment: 

The role of accountability in creating a safe work environment

Training Objectives: 

Training Objectives What causes injuries What are some opportunities to communicate safety expectations How to communicate safety expectations How to apply consequences to undesired behaviors

Causes of Injuries: 

Causes of Injuries Acts of God Unsafe conditions, equipment, environment, code violations System failures

System Failures: 

System Failures Policies & procedures Lack of supervisory follow-up Lack of intervention Management attitude Lack/inferior training “Common sense” safety Employee errors Unsafe activity Inattention Physical capacity Risk taking behavior

Why is an understanding of causation important?: 

Why is an understanding of causation important?

Understanding what causes injuries gives you the opportunity to focus on practices with the best return.: 

Understanding what causes injuries gives you the opportunity to focus on practices with the best return.

3 important practices: 

3 important practices Analysis of incidents Clearly communicating expectations to employees Holding employees accountable

If you Regularly Recognize & Reward, you’ll Rarely have to Reprimand  *From OR-OSHA on-line course 100: Safety & Health Management : 

If you Regularly Recognize & Reward, you’ll Rarely have to Reprimand *From OR-OSHA on-line course 100: Safety & Health Management

Employee incident description: 

Employee incident description There were two dogs that were fenced in another room adjacent to the kitchen where we were talking to the kids and foster parents. One dog was licking my hand so I asked the kids if the other dog was ok to pet. They said yes. I put my hand down so the dog can smell it and it bit my hand. Supervisor’s report:   This was accidental and could not be avoided

Citizen Complaint: 

Citizen Complaint A citizen reported seeing the above state vehicle at 12:35 p.m. on the above date traveling Westbound on _____________. The citizen reported the state vehicle approached the citizen at a high rate of speed. The citizen reported traveling 65 mph and the state vehicle just flew past the citizen. The citizen feels it is not fuel efficient for a state vehicle to cruise at 80 mph. The state vehicle was described as a late model Chevrolet Impala sedan tan or sand in color. The state driver was described as female. The state passenger was described as male. Supervisor’s report of investigation:   I shared the report with _____. She believes she was going no faster than 71 mph and had set the cruise control. She and her passenger had discussed this during the drive. He does this when in a state vehicle and only in remote rural areas. While this is conservative, she will reconsider this approach.

OSHA on negative consequences: 

OSHA on negative consequences Negative consequences are justified when an employee fails to meet standards . . . From OR-OSHA on-line course 100: Safety & Health Management

…only when the safety management system has not failed the employee: 

…only when the safety management system has not failed the employee Have I demonstrated adequate leadership by complying with all safety policies and rules? Have I provided the employee with a safe and healthy workplace? Have I provided the employee with quality safety education and training? Have I provided adequate safety oversight? Have I administered discipline or corrective actions fairly and consistently in the past?

Do consequences correspond with the severity of the infraction?: 

Do consequences correspond with the severity of the infraction? Consequences should increase with the severity of the potential injury or illness that might result from the behavior. Consequences should increase with the level of responsibility of the person performing the behavior. *From OR-OSHA on-line course 100: Safety & Health Management

Workers’ Compensation Cost Containment: 

Workers’ Compensation Cost Containment Supervisor Accountability

Supervisor is the frontline: 

Supervisor is the frontline Incident vs. Accident What is the difference? Why should I care? A Guide to the Uses of the Workers’ Compensation Claim 801 Form

Slide22: 

10% 50% 70% 90% MONTHS AWAY FROM WORK 2 4 6 8 10 12 CHANCE OF INJURED WORKER’S RETURN TO JOB 30%

Supervisor Roles & ResponsibilitiesReturn to Work: 

Supervisor Roles & Responsibilities Return to Work Conducts incident analysis as quickly as possible Corrects any hazard Completes all agency work rules and practices Maintains contact needed paperwork Informs IW of with IW, SAIF, Safety Advisor, HR, and Dr. Finds temporary transitional modified job tasks for the IW Monitors recovery and need for temporary transitional modified job tasks

Temporary Transitional Modified Job Tasks: 

Temporary Transitional Modified Job Tasks Short-term work assignments while the IW is transitioning through the healing process: 3 days 14 days 30 days 60 days 90 day (recommended ending of program) Transitional based on: Type of injury Physical abilities and limitations of the worker Skills Pre-injury job/responsibilities

Temporary Transitional Modified Job Tasks: 

Temporary Transitional Modified Job Tasks Job Task Development Think of job tasks that need to be accomplished and not a “job”. Review information provided by treating physician regarding IW’s limitations and build around physical limitations and abilities of IW. Make the work meaningful to the Agency.