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11/30/2023

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

Workers Compensation Claims chart June 2021
  • The average total incurred workers compensation claim has increased to $4,737 in 2021.1
  • 47% of claims and 60% of claim dollars are attributed to slips, trips, and falls over the last five years.1
  • Nearly 10% of claims incurred in 2020 exceeded a loss amount of $10K.1

Key risk insights

Did you know?

Feeling a little burned out? Increased workloads, longer hours, work-life balance — these are just some of the reasons why you might be feeling stressed. Rest is critical in sustaining yourself and being at your best. In fact, time off isn’t just good for you. Your co-workers, your credit union, and your members all benefit when you take time off.

  • You get mental relief and improve your mood.
  • Disconnecting from work can help improve creativity and problem-solving.
  • Always working and being on takes a toll on your physical health. And, if you’re burned-out, you’re more likely to take a sick day.

Employee wellness

4 tips to minimize the most common type of office injury

  1. Stay clutter-free. Boxes, files and various items piled in walkways can create a tripping hazard. Further, in addition to posing an electrical hazard, stretching cords across walkways or under rugs creates a tripping hazard.
  2. Step on up. Standing on desks, counters or chairs — particularly rolling office chairs — is a significant fall hazard. Employees who need to reach something at an elevated height should use a stepladder.
  3. Maintain a clear line of vision. Watch where you are going and don’t walk too fast or run, take shortcuts, and be careful using mobile devices while on the move.
  4. Get a grip. Carpeting, rugs, and other skid-resistant surfaces can serve to reduce falls.

Responding to an active assailant incident

  • Be aware of your surroundings and have the understanding that you have the authority to take immediate action to protect yourself.
  • When an active assailant is in your vicinity:
    • Run — If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the immediate area and exit the building to a safe/protected location. Always keep your hands visible.
    • Hide — If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where you are less likely to be found and barricade/lock the door. Use your surroundings to aid yourself.
    • Fight — As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to counter/disrupt and/or incapacitate the assailant.

They said it

"Consider holding quick five-or-ten minute department talks or huddles periodically to discuss office safety wellness issues and share relevant pointers. Be sure to account for the season of the year and weather conditions in your area."

Bob Bouvier
Risk Consultant & ALICE-certified instructor
CUNA Mutual Group

"An active shooter situation is a scenario that many people don’t want to think about — but it’s important for your entire credit union team to be prepared both mentally and physically."

Michael Petrone
Risk Consultant & ALICE-certified instructor
CUNA Mutual Group

Resources you can use...

Review these resources to enhance your focus on emerging risks related to workplace / employee safety.

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 or policyholders of The Hartford can also access thehartford.com/risk-engineering (policy number required).

For questions on risks, contact a risk consultant at 800.637.2676.