Top 10 Actions Employers Should Take When an Employee is Injured at Work
by Dr. Claire Muselman
Workplace injuries can happen at any time, and how employers respond can significantly affect the outcome for the employee and the organization. The first 30 minutes after an injury are crucial in determining the course of an employee's recovery. Here are the top ten steps every employer should take immediately after a workplace injury.
1. CREATE A PLAN AND STICK TO IT
Why it's important: A well-defined plan ensures that responses are quick and organized, reducing confusion and improving outcomes.
Key action: Regularly review and practice the plan with your team to ensure everyone is ready should someone be injured.
Example: Include emergency telephone numbers, first aid procedures, and designated roles in your plan for quick reference.
Creating a plan before an injury occurs is essential for a quick and organized response. Following the plan reduces confusion and delays when an injury occurs, ensuring prompt treatment.
2. TELL THE WORKER YOU WILL TAKE CARE OF THEM
Why it's important: Reassuring the employee promotes a sense of security and can improve their emotional and physical recovery.
Key action: The employee's perception affects the injury's severity and overall recovery.
Example: Use phrases such as "we're here for you" and "you're in good hands" to express your support.
It is imperative to communicate your care and concern for the injured worker immediately after an injury. Reassuring the employee that they will be cared for can positively impact their recovery, reduce the severity of the injury, and build trust in the organization's commitment to employee welfare.
3. PERFORM AN INITIAL DIAGNOSIS
Why it is important: An accurate initial diagnosis helps provide appropriate care and prevents the injury from worsening.
Key action: Differentiate symptoms from pain to understand the full severity of the injury.
Example: Look for visible signs of injury, such as swelling or bleeding, and ask the employee to describe their pain level and location.
Performing an initial assessment of the injury is essential to determining its severity and the immediate measures needed for management. Early recognition of symptoms helps prevent further injury and guides the appropriate response.
4. ADMINISTER FIRST AID
Why it's important: Immediate first aid can prevent an injury from getting worse and provide essential care before medical help arrives.
Key action: Ensure first aid kits are appropriate for the environment and readily available.
Example: Use a Class B kit in high-risk environments where exposure to chemicals or serious injury is more likely.
Administering first aid is essential in responding immediately to workplace injuries. Having the correct first aid equipment and knowing how to use it can significantly affect the outcome. Proper first aid stabilizes the injury and prevents it from worsening before professional help arrives.
5. CALM THE WORKER
Why it's important: Reducing stress can improve the injured worker's physical and emotional response to the injury.
Key action: Speak in a calm, cool voice and offer reassurance that the situation is under control.
Example: Provide the worker with a seat, water, and a quiet resting place while waiting for medical help.
Calming the injured worker is important to reduce stress and anxiety, which can exacerbate symptoms and complicate recovery. Speaking calmly and reassuringly helps the worker feel more comfortable, which allows for a more controlled response.
6. CONTROL THE HAZARDS THAT CAUSED THE INJURY
Why it's important: Immediately addressing hazards helps create a safer work environment, reducing the likelihood of future incidents.
Key action: Controlling hazards prevents future injuries and reinforces commitment to safety.
Examples: Repairing broken machine guards or placing warning signs in high-risk areas as immediate corrective measures.
If a specific hazard caused the injury, the hazard must be controlled immediately to prevent further incidents and to protect other employees.
7. GET HELP QUICKLY WHEN NEEDED
Why it matters: Quick access to professional medical care can prevent complications and promote faster recovery.
Key action: Ensure your emergency plan includes clear steps for contacting health professionals.
Example: Designate a team member to call emergency services and provide relevant information about the injury.
Delaying treatment can worsen the injury. Quick response times reduce the severity of the injury and improve treatment outcomes. Telemedicine options can also be useful during this urgent time.
8. ASK THE MANAGER TO ACCOMPANY THE WORKER TO THE CLINIC OR HOSPITAL
Why it is important: Accompanying the worker shows the organization's commitment to their well-being and provides them with necessary assistance.
Key action: Ensure a manager can escort the injured worker to the medical facility.
Example: The manager can help with paperwork, communicate with medical staff, and ensure the employee's comfort.
If the injured worker needs to go to the clinic or hospital, having a manager accompany them shows a commitment to their well-being and provides the necessary assistance. The manager can explain the details to medical staff and meet the employee's needs.
9. POST-INCIDENT FOLLOW-UP: FOLLOW-UP!
Why it matters: Regular follow-up shows continued support and helps address ongoing concerns, improving recovery outcomes.
Key action: Meet with the injured employee regularly to monitor their recovery and provide support.
Example: Schedule weekly check-ins with the injured employee to monitor their recovery and address their concerns.
Follow-up after the initial response is essential to ensure the employee’s recovery is on track. Regular check-ins address any ongoing concerns and assist with alleviating any fear of the unknown. What you do not know can and will hurt you in such situations as denied pharmacy transactions, unreturned phone calls, or medical bills being sent to the employee's home residence.
10. USE MEDICAL CASE MANAGEMENT WHEN NECESSARY
Why it matters: Case management ensures a smooth recovery process and minimizes the impact of the injury on the employee and the organization through additional communication and support.
Key action: Designate a dedicated case manager to oversee the employee’s recovery and coordinate all aspects of their care.
Example: The case manager might manage communications with medical providers, manage the claims process, and assist in educating the injured worker about the recovery process.
Effective case management is the final step to ensuring a successful recovery. It includes coordinating medical care, managing documents, and maintaining regular contact with the employee. Proper case management streamlines the recovery process, minimizes downtime, and ensures the employee feels fully supported. A case manager can significantly help with communication barriers like limited English proficiency and medical understanding jargon.
The actions taken immediately after a workplace accident can have a lasting impact on the injured worker and the overall safety culture within your organization. By acting quickly and compassionately, documenting thoroughly, and following up consistently, you help the injured worker recover faster and build trust within your team. A well-managed response to workplace injuries is an investment in the well-being of your employees, the organization, and the future of your business.
ABOUT DR. CLAIRE MUSELMAN
Dr. Claire Muselman is an innovative and enthusiastic professional in workers' compensation. She currently serves as Chief Operating Officer at WorkersCompensation.com and is a human behavior scientist at Drake University She holds positions as a professor of practice at the Zimpleman College of Business and co-director of the Master of Science in Leadership Program. With almost two decades of experience in insurance and risk management, Dr. Muselman has focused her career on workers' compensation. She is the visionary founder of the Workers' Recovery Unit and the Workers' Compensation Center of Excellence. She is researching integrating neuroscience with claims management through the Kelley Center for Insurance Innovation, driving transformative changes across the industry.
R.E.W.A.R.D. PROGRAM: RETURN EMPLOYEES TO WORK AND REDUCE DISABILITIES
Tennessee workers’ compensation rules and regulations require employers to contact the adjuster within 24 hours of being notified of an injury and need for medical care. While employers have the right to choose the providers listed on a panel of physicians, they don’t have the right to require injured employees to receive care from a specific physician on that panel. The physicians’ names must be provided on the Bureau’s form, called an “Employee’s Choice of Physician form” Form C-42. It should be provided within three business days of when the employer received the report of injury, and the employee expressed a need for medical care. For more information on the panel of physicians download the REWARD Program Toolkit.
MEET WITH LIKE-MINDED EMPLOYERS
The next REWARD Employer Support meeting will be on Tuesday, October 22nd at 1 PM central time via Microsoft Teams featuring guest speaker, Jason Parker, Work Disability Consultant.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in the REWARD Report are solely those of the authors and may not reflect the official policy or position of the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, the Tennessee Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims, the Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, or any other public, private, or nonprofit organization. Information contained in the REWARD Report is for educational purposes only.