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Alternative Workers’ Compensation & Safety Solutions

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Alternative Workers' Compensation & Safety Solutions
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Published on Jul 4
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Having access to supplementary safety programs to address the existing and emergent issues can help prevent injuries from occurring in the workplace.

Improved safety solutions help ensure OSHA compliance and the ability of a company to have its Workers’ Compensation (WC) insurance and employee health insurance policies underwritten. However, updating safety measures is something that a lot of organizations may be overdue in addressing. Whether a company is self-insured for Workers’ Comp or covered through the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), it may be past time for a review of current safety programs. This should begin with an operational safety needs assessment. Sheakley PEO’s risk management solution provides comprehensive risk assessment and collaboration with businesses who want to maximize safety and minimize workplace injuries.

Participating in the PEO typically affords small to medium-sized businesses in Ohio more cost-efficient alternatives for their workers’ compensation and offers today’s soundest approach to safety solutions — working with an individual Risk Management Consultant, who also functions effectively as a safety consultant.

A PEO-assigned safety consultant is focused on minimizing the client’s risk of worker injuries. They’re especially thorough in workplace and task-specific safety assessments, and on helping business operators and their employees fully meet their companies’ and their industry’s safety needs. They provide practical, efficient strategies for clients to use in their safety improvements planning and implementations.

The professional safety consultant offers the guidance needed for timely improvements and provides ongoing follow-ups to help the client maintain legal compliance, align with their industry’s safety standards, and encourage optimal worker safety in regards to environments, processes, and tasks. The safety consultant becomes most effective for the client by getting to know the company’s operations, risk concerns and safety culture.

Comprehensive Workplace Safety Solutions

A comprehensive modern safety program addresses issues from drug abuse and poor ergonomics to building safety and proper equipment operation. Inspections, training, and ongoing evaluation of safety programs are important in helping management teams align their policies and processes with requirements for risk management, OSHA compliance, and the safety standards within their industry.

Indicators that a company is on track toward a better, safer workplace include improvements in Workers’ Compensation claims history, reductions in OSHA citations, progress on updating written safety programs, maintenance of safety training records, non-injury incident reports and near-miss records, and observable positive changes in the workspace and employees’ safety practices. Collaborative site examinations help companies identify physical hazards that may lead to serious, life-altering worker injuries. Such inspections further help reduce risk of:

  • Lost productivity and revenues
  • Staff turn-over
  • OSHA citations
  • Violations of Department of Transportation Regulations
  • Worker’s Comp insurance underwriting issues
  • Other laws governing liability

From finding physical safety hazards like blocked emergency exits to observing workers using improper safety equipment on their machinery, workplace and process assessment is an invaluable risk management tool for shaping plans for safety improvements.

The safety consultant puts all of the data gathered during the workplace safety assessment into a report for the client. The report provides suggested priorities, areas of focus, and offers the simplest, most reasonable plan for implementation.

The safety implementation plan focuses on the biggest, most immediate risks to employee safety first. It then addresses other causes of injury claims and OSHA penalties. The consultant will advise on ways to improve the client’s ability to address and fix issues within a reasonable timeframe, especially when an issue poses an imminent danger to employee safety.

Alternatives in Company Team Safety Training

A safe workplace starts with safety knowledge. The safety consultant works with the client’s management team to roll out the suggested safety improvements, ensuring that each employee is aware of, and properly trained in, all new policies and procedures.

No matter the scale of the safety improvements needed, the consultant can provide training solutions that fit within any budget, to make sure goals are met within a reasonable timeframe. Training options include:

  • In-House Safety Training — About 80% of safety training can be done in-house, with minimal cost and operational disruption. Sheakley’s experts can provide instruction on a majority of common topics including forklift operation, machine guarding, lock-out/tag-out, hazard communication, environmental safety, ergonomics, and more.
    Outsourced Specialized Training — Sheakley partners with a number of third-party experts to offer specialized training options. No matter the need, we can find a solutions that works for you.
  • Risk Mitigation Training — Risk training helps clients minimize insurance exposure by ensuring proper written plans are available to provide to contractors coming on-site. We also make sure their contractors have their own Workers’ Compensation and liability insurance at appropriate coverage levels.
  • Emergency Action Plans — Sheakley assists clients in creating emergency action plans. Procedures are put in writing and drills are held to train the client on effective execution, should the need arise

PEO Individualized Client Safety Support Needs

Because each employer’s situation is different, we tailor action plans specific to each client and their needs. For example, a sales office will have a different approach to address a positive drug test than a construction company where heavy equipment is being operated.

For a company who has locations and employees across Ohio, we can find practical safety arrangements that work statewide. For example, instead of sending injured employees to the emergency room down the street, we can set up an account at an urgent care network with locations across the state. Injured employees in Cleveland will complete the same paperwork as injured employees in Cincinnati, reducing the administrative burden on your staff.

Alternative Work Opportunities for Employees in Therapy

For employees injured on the job, medical restrictions can make returning to work difficult. Staying productive and engaged during a disability period leads to faster recovery times and an increased chance of returning to work.

Our modified-duty offsite program provides a solution that helps your employees return to a safe, productive, temporary work environment at a non-profit organization while they’re recovering. You benefit from reduced workers’ compensation disability and medical claims costs, lower OSHA recordable total lost days, and retaining experienced employees.

Collaboration on Workers’ Compensation Claims Investigations

Sheakley safety consultants work closely with our claims department, who are the first to see claims when they come in. When an injury report is received, it is reviewed by a claims manager immediately. If they see anything in the report that indicates the injury was the result of a procedural or process issue, they inform the client’s safety professional so that it can be addressed and corrected quickly.

The safety consultant will also ensure that a thorough accident investigation is performed and all appropriate follow-up action is taken. For example, if an employee cuts themselves and requires stitches, the client may require them to wear cut-resistant gloves. The safety consultant would provide a reminder to have the employee review and sign off on the safety policy and watch the online video on glove safety when they return to work.

Nurse Case Management

As the advocates for injured workers’, our nurse case managers are also reviewing claims as they come in to determine what, if any, action is appropriate. They will:

  • Review physician reports and treatment options
  • Accompany injured employees to appointments, if necessary
  • Become involved in the day-to-day treatment.
  • Stay informed on the employee’s rehabilitation treatment
  • Facilitate needed approvals and help prevent delays
  • Serve as a liaison between the client company, the doctor and Sheakley.

The nurse case manager is dedicated to the swift recovery of the injured employee by making sure they’re receiving the proper treatment in a timely manner.

Fostering a Strong Safety Culture

Creating and maintaining a culture of safety in the workplace requires strong leadership and employee engagement.

At its core, the safety program you create must have executive and management support in order be fully integrated into your business. This is done by demonstrating a consistent, genuine commitment to safety and by effectively communicating expectations to your workforce.

Active engagement by your employees is the other key component in fostering a safe workplace. Involving employees in the creation of your safety plan from its earliest stages can create a sense of pride and ownership in the end product, leading to sustained participation. Each and every employee should be encouraged to take charge of their personal safety and invest in the overall safety of their colleagues.

Real, substantial change starts at the top. Creating and promoting a comprehensive safety program will show your employees that you have a genuine concern for their well-being. It’s this realization that their company actually cares that will guarantee sustained participation from your employees and the overall success of your safety program.

Streamlining and Improving Efficiency of Your Risk Management Program

Sometimes it takes years of struggling with safety issues for a company to realize that what they’re doing just isn’t working. Whether the cause is a lack of planning, insufficient training, or a rapidly expanding workforce, recognizing that you can’t do it alone is the first step to real change.

Sheakley specializes in collaborative management, partnering with their clients to solve the toughest challenges, provide practical policy innovations, and help them reach their safety goals. We free employers from the burden of safety and regulatory administration and enable them to re-focus on their business.

More Benefits for Sheakley PEO Clients

Sheakley is a full-service, customer-focused human resources and risk management provider. We serve small and medium-sized companies with individualized HR support, Workers’ Compensation administration, and safety programs. Our solutions will reduce your risk, lower your costs, and help to develop the safest possible workplace for your employees.


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