The ever-changing COVID-19 protocols can be very confusing, especially in regards to workers’ compensation benefits. As an employer, it is imperative to understand the laws in place in order to properly navigate employee’s rights.

Under normal circumstances, it is very difficult for an employee to file a workers’ compensation claim and receive benefits for an infectious disease, especially one that is widespread in the community. But state laws passed in response to the pandemic have made it easier to qualify.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted life and work as we know it. It has been a period marked by rapid, ongoing change for many organizations. As employers begin to lift their pandemic-related safety requirements, they should also note the ongoing obligations to protect the health and safety of their employees and support their expectations of a post-COVID “new normal.” As businesses come surging back, management teams are responsible for leading their companies through these fast-moving changes.

Employers need trustworthy employees who can perform their agreed-upon duties without personal issues causing disruption. Drugs in the workplace can negatively impact employee performance, personal health, and workplace safety. Establishing and maintaining a drug-free workplace through the development of expected and supportive policies and procedures, can boost your business by attracting preferable employees to help the organization grow without the costs and distractions often associated with drugs in the workplace.

Ergonomics is the study of people in their working environment and modifying the work to fit the worker, not the other way around. The goal as an employer is to optimize an environment to eliminate discomfort and risk of injury due to work. A workplace ergonomics assessment and improvement process removes risk factors that can lead to injury and allows for improved performance and productivity.

Whenever there is an injury in the workplace, the sooner it is evaluated and treated, the more likely it is that the employee will be able to return to work feeling their best.

The Importance of Prompt Care

If an employee is injured at work, it is important to seek medical treatment right away, even if the injury seems minor. Prompt treatment of a work-related accident makes it more likely that they will recover faster and thus be able to return to their regular duties sooner.

Whenever an accident or incident occurs at work, it needs to be determined whether it can be handled with simple first aid, or if it needs to be properly recorded under the Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s (OSHA) requirements. Knowing the definition of and the difference between first aid and reportable injuries can help you improve the accuracy of your OSHA logs and reduce over-reporting.

As we enter a new era of workplace safety and security following the COVID-19 lockdown, employees should be able to confidently return to work, onsite or remotely, and administrators must have the peace of mind that they are complying with the new requirements. Getting back to work in the office while keeping employees and visitors protected from the current pandemic should be of the utmost importance to all employers.

Telemedicine has been used for decades to improve access to care while simultaneously cutting costs. It holds real potential for reducing an injured employee’s time away from work while increasing the speed in which an injury can be evaluated. Convenient access to healthcare services both during and after the current COVID-19 pandemic is essential in order to evaluate and return an injured worker to the workplace in the shortest amount of time possible.

Working in hot conditions isn’t just difficult - it can be dangerous. When the human body is unable to maintain a normal temperature, heat-related illnesses can occur and may result in death. Be prepared and decrease the chances of your employees overheating by protecting them from heat-related illnesses.

Heat Awareness

The risk of heat-related illnesses and stress is increased in employees who work outdoors and in hot environments, such as bakeries, construction sites, factories, farms, fires, and mines.

The Work Status Report (WSR) serves as an injured employee’s report card from their doctor. It advises the employer if/when the medical provider does not believe the injured employee can do any work in their current medical status or requires workplace accommodations in a restricted capacity. Proactive employers should require a WSR from an injured employee after every medical appointment, as this information encourages a reasonable return to work and holds everyone accountable.