Safety and wellness brief
Minimize your risks and decrease potential losses based on learnings from our Workers Compensation Safety Council participants, The Hartford, and CUNA Mutual Group.
Program highlights
- Nearly 1,900 workers compensation claims over the last 5 years.*
- $6.9 million in workers compensation claims have been incurred since 2015.*
- Slips Trip and Fall claims not involving ice or snow are the most frequent workplace safety loss at credit unions, accounting for more than 1 in every 3 workers compensation claims submitted since 2015.*
- 33% of Workers Compensation claims occurred with employees that have been on the job for one year or less.*
Key risk insights
Slips, trips and falls
Did you know? Slips, trip and fall claims not involving ice or snow are the most frequent workplace safety loss at credit unions, accounting for 45% of all workers compensation claims submitted from 2014 to 2018.*
However; slips, trip and fall claims involving snow or ice historically average more than double from a dollars paid perspective.*
More than half (51.8%) of these claims occur within the 50-69 age demographic range.*
Workplace ergonomics
Did you know? A large share of work-related injuries develop over time from the effect of repetitive movements or postures on the job — from keyboarding to sitting or frequent lifting or bending.
The back followed by the hand or fingers are the most frequently injured body part that involves days away from work. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Modern technology has radically changed the way we physically work requiring the use of a keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, and/or mobile devices which can cause more injuries to hands, wrists, and arms.
6 tips to minimize slips, trips & falls
- Create good housekeeping practices plan ahead; assign responsibilities; implement a program.
- Reduce wet or slippery surfaces parking lots; sidewalks; floors in general.
- Avoid creating obstacles in entranceways, aisles, stairwells, and walkways.
- Use and maintain proper lighting.
- Control individual behavior (e.g. walking too fast or running, taking shortcuts, using mobile devices while on the move).
- Conduct periodic inspections for slip, trip, and fall hazards.
6 office ergonomics tips to improve workplace wellness
- Identify your challenges and ergonomic issues.
- Maintain a good posture.
- Prevent eye strain.
- Monitor your daily well-being and note any ongoing symptoms.
- Create an ergonomically-friendly workplace — sit/stand; avoid unnecessary strain; consider computer and document positioning.
- Minimize excessive stress by taking stretch and movement breaks.
They said it
"I’m a big fan of ice alert signs. These signs are placed outside and turn to a blue color when temperatures are below freezing. They are a great reminder regardless of geographic location. They are also very cost effective."
Brian Walker, CSP, ARM
Consultant Risk Engineering
The Hartford
"Every office location is different which presents a different risk or threat profile; not to mention, they also all face different ergonomics challenges."
Carlos Molina
Senior Risk Consultant
CUNA Mutual Group
Want to learn more? Download this prevention overview & checklist to ensure you re doing your part to guard against slips, trips and falls.
Slip, trip & fall prevention overview
Download this workplace ergonomics overview and ergonomics for mobile devices to enhance your focus on employee health and comfort at work.
Safety and wellness workplace ergonomics
Additional resources
For additional employee safety, wellness, or workers compensation tools and resources, check out the Workplace Safety/Wellness page within the Protection Resource Center.
For questions on risks, contact a risk consultant at 800.637.2676.