New Employees Face High Risk of Injuries
It’s hard being the new guy at work. New workers have to spend hours of training learning all the procedures. They have to meet new people and deal with customers. But one thing that is not often talked about is that new employees also face a high risk of injuries.
It’s true. Because new employees are still unfamiliar with tasks and safety procedures, accidents are more likely to occur and these workers are at risk of injury. Employees who have been at a company for under one year account for 40% of injuries reported to Selective Insurance, an insurance company based in New Jersey.
Employees are experiencing workplace injuries 18% earlier than they did 10 years ago. In 2021, employees filed their first workers’ compensation claim after 5.2 years of service, on average. This is compared to 6.4 years of service in 2011.
Between 2010 and 2021, workers’ compensation claims most commonly involved slips, falls, and strains. In 2020, more than 114,430 new workers sustained a workplace injury or illness that required time off work within their first three months on the job.
The good news is that the trend is improving in one area. The rate of nonfatal workplace injuries declined over a six-year period, from 3.2 cases per 100 full-time workers in 2014 to 2.7 cases in 2020.
Preventing Workplace Accidents
Employers need to be aware of the risks and focus on preventing accidents before they happen. This means hiring qualified job candidates. In the interviews, determine if the candidate has the appropriate experience and training for the position, especially if the job is in a dangerous industry, such as construction or manufacturing. Ask safety-related questions to see if the prospective employee shares your company’s safety values.
Once the person is hired, examine the effectiveness of your onboarding and training programs. These programs play an important role in helping employees work safely and effectively. Have objectives in place, such as recognizing unsafe conditions. Employers need to keep building on safety procedures, such as modeling the right behaviors and providing feedback. The onboarding program schedule should allow the new employee to demonstrate mastery of the subject matter while still under direct supervision to identify knowledge gaps.
It is also recommended that employers have a buddy system. The buddy can serve as a mentor to show the employee around and answer questions. The buddy helps reinforce best practices and the organization’s overall safety culture. The buddy system should last for at least six months.
Contact a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Workplace accidents can happen to anyone, but new employees are not as educated and trained and face a higher risk.
A Morristown work-related accident attorney from The Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff can help you obtain compensation for your injuries. Get a successful injury recovery today.
Fill out the online form or call (973) 455-1567 to schedule a free consultation.
Source:
shrm.org/resourcesandtools/legal-and-compliance/employment-law/pages/new-employees-at-risk-for-workplace-injuries.aspx
