In 1998, strains and sprains accounted for approximately 53,111 lost person days in the service industry. The costs of these all-too-common workplace injuries were in excess of $12 million dollars, with an average of $6000 per claim. 50% of strains and sprains result in more than 10 days off work for injured employees.
The good news is, with a little education and care, there's a lot that service employers and their teams can do to prevent strains and sprains from ever becoming a problem again.
Strains and sprains are injuries resulting from stretched or torn muscles, tendons and ligaments.
Workplace strains and sprains can mean major costs for your business. They can impact the Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) premiums that you pay, and they can significantly disrupt your daily operations. Injured workers suffer too - the inability to perform regular tasks both at work and home can be devastating.
Strains and sprains are a risk for any service sector employee who regularly lifts, carries or handles materials on the job. In grocery retail, for example, sprains and strains account for 45% of all injuries. Other examples of service sector employees at risk include:
1. Legislation Applies: Employers, supervisors and workers all have duties and responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997. Injuries resulting from sprains and strains must be reported to the WSIB on a Form 7.
2. Costs Can be Controlled: Your business cannot afford to ignore the risk of sprains and strains. The bottom line: prevention can mean big savings and possible WSIB rebates for your firm. Likewise, continued claims and injuries to workers can mean extra costs that may affect your profitability.
3. Your Team Can Prevent these Injuries: Prevention is a matter of identifying and controlling hazards. You and your staff can pull together to make a difference. As part of your plan, make sure you check out available rebates and incentives as well.
Make sure you check out OSSA's Safety in Motion tip sheet for employers and employees.
Identify hazards that contribute to sprain and strain injuries
Eliminate and control hazards
Train employees to work in a safe manner
Provide supervision to reinforce safety requirements
Use safety equipment wherever possible to eliminate risks
Ask for help and advice from your health and safety partners
Prevention Strategies::
E-mail OSSA or give us a call at 1-888-478-OSSA
OSSA's Product Catalogue also has many great new resources to help.
That when lifting an object - bring the load closer to you, remove any barriers and/or reduce the size of the object.