Motor Fleet Safety Basics:Training for the Safety Supervisor

Unit 5 – Preventing Employee Injury and Handling Workers’ Compensation Claims

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Unit 5 Objectives• Explain why injury prevention is an important

component of fleet safety programs

• Identify common hazards and unsafe conditions in the workplace

• Implement procedures for evaluating workplace hazards

• Identify information to collect for workers’ compensation claims

• Identify warning signs of workers’ compensation fraud

Injuries and Illness in TruckingOccupation With The Most Injuries and Illness

Involving Days Away from Work, 2012

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Annual Survey, 2012

Stock clerks

Janitors & cleaners

Maintenance & repair

Retail salespersons

Light truck/delivery

Production workers

Nursing Assistants

Truck Drivers

Laborers, Nonconstruction

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

21

22

23.5

24.5

24.6

28

38

40.4

60.6

Illnesses & Injuries (thousands)

Oc

cu

pa

tio

n

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Revenue Needed to Offset Injury Costs

Injury Required Revenue Based On Company Profit Margin:

Cost 1% 2% 3% 4%

$1,000 $100,000 $50,000 $33,333 $25,000

$5,000 $500,000 $250,000 $166,666 $125,000

$10,000 $1,000,000 $500,000 $333,333 $250,000

$15,000 $1,500,000 $750,000 $500,000 $375,000

$25,000 $2,500,000 $1,250,000 $833,333 $625,000

$50,000 $5,000,000 $2,500,000 $1,666,666 $1,250,000

$100,000 $10,000,000 $5,000,000 $3,333,333 $2,500,000

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Measures of Worker Injuries

Total incidence rates:

No. of recordable injuries & illnesses x 200,000

(total employee hours worked for the company)

Incidence Rates

Lost time incidence rates:

No. of lost time injuries & illnesses x 200,000

(total employee hours worked for the company)

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Calculating Incidence Rates

Incidence Rates for Total Injuries and Illnesses for NAICS Code 484 – Truck Transportation

2012 2011 2010

4.5 4.9 5.0

2.1 2.3 2.4

Incidence Rates for Total Cases of Injuries and Illnesses

Incident Rates for Lost Time Cases of Injuries and Illnesses

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Avoiding Falls from Equipment - 1

Wheel Hung Platform Portable Platform Steps

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Avoiding Falls from Equipment - 2

Ladders ScaffoldsUnsafe condition

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Avoiding Falls from Equipment - 3

Exiting TrailerUnsafe condition

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Avoiding Injuries from Overexertion

Unsafe condition

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Avoiding Falls on the Same Level

Good Housekeeping Poor HousekeepingUnsafe condition

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Avoiding Injury Through Training

• Dangerous driving situations

• Principles of safe driving

• Driver fatigue

• Safe lifting techniques

• Proper job task procedures (e.g., unlocking 5th wheel)

• 3-Point stance exiting & entering the vehicle

Provide training programs on-

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Increasing Driver Awareness

• Upsets

• Head-on collisions

• Intersection incidents

• Rear-ending

• Jack-knifing

Make drivers aware of situations with potential for most serious injury:

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Avoiding Injuries from Falling Freight

Overhead Storage Racks Balance and Stability

Unsafe condition Unsafe condition

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Avoiding Injuries from Forklifts• Require training and permits for drivers

• Create traffic patterns to avoid pedestrian/truck interface

• Set reasonable speed limits

• Use trailer restraint devices

• Use jack stands

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Avoiding Coupling and Fifth Wheel Injuries

• Provide training on-• Coupling procedures• Dolly handling• Proper lifting

• Install-• Extensions for king pin locks• Hand holds away from the socket

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Controlling Physical Hazards • Specify safe equipment

• Maintain equipment in top condition

• Perform self-inspections

• Protect from exposure to hazardous materials

• Remove physical hazards in buildings

• Preplan for safety in new construction

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Specify Safe Equipment Critical safety features:

• Hand-holds

• Self-cleaning steps

• Air-ride seats

• Grates on rear impact guard

• Air lines that can be hooked up from the ground

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Install Hand Holds

Rebar Step and Grab Handle

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Install Self-Cleaning Surfaces

Self-Cleaning Treads on Step Points Self-Cleaning Grates

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Equipment Maintenance Guidelines • Implement problem-reporting process

• Hold regular inspections before and after trips

• Require prompt repairs

• Implement good record-keeping system

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Hazardous Materials Compliance

• Labeling

• Storage

• Emergency plan

• Training

OSHA/EPA Hazardous Materials:

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Avoiding Physical Hazards in Buildings

StairsUnsafe condition

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Avoiding Physical Hazards in the Shop

Repair Pits

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Reporting and Follow-Up1. Report accidents, injuries and illnesses immediately

2. Investigate all accidents, injuries, and illnesses

3. Analyze investigation reports or claims data

4. Review accident with employee

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Analyzing Data• Look for trends

• Body part injured• Time of day• Location

• Ask for assistance from insurance information system and staff

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Review Accident with Employee• Wait until investigation is complete

• Use review as an opportunity to identify-• Training needs• Equipment modifications needed• Procedural changes

• Use peer review process, if needed

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Course Implications for Compliance

Follow Seminar

Strategies

Follow Seminar

Strategies

OSHAand DOT

Compliance

OSHAand DOT

Compliance

Fewer Accidents

Fewer Accidents

Reduced CostsReduced Costs

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Workers’ Compensation Red Flags• Lawyer credibility

• Doctor credibility

• Past employee involvement with fraud

• Employee disappears

• Monday soft tissue injury

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Workers’ Compensation Red Flags• Rush to settlement

• Internal physician referrals

• Financial problems

• Indications of fitness

• Fairly new employee

• Coincident with strike, layoff, or retirement

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Not Necessarily Red Flags• CEO suspicions

• An expensive claim

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Questions