New workers have always been more susceptible to injuries. However, recent research shows that new hire injuries are increasing. To keep your employees safe and prevent higher workers’ compensation claims and costs, you may need to offer additional training.
First-Year Workers’ Compensation Claims
The 2022 Travelers Injury Impact Report analyzed more than 1.5 million workers’ compensation claims filed between 2015 and 2019. It found that 35% of injuries occurred during the injured employee’s first year on the job. This held true for workers of all ages and industry experience levels. The most common cause of first-year injuries was overexertion (accounting for 27% of all claims), followed by slips, trips, and falls (22%) and being struck by an object (14%). Cuts and punctures, being caught in or between objects, and motor vehicle accidents each accounted for 6% of claims.
New Hire Injuries Are on the Rise
Whereas new hire injuries are not a new problem, there’s evidence that the trend is increasing. The Workers Compensation Research Institute conducted a study looking at 8.4 million non-COVID-19 claims between 2017 and 2022 from 31 different states. The analysis found that the number of new hires with workers’ compensation claims increased over the period of study. Furthermore, more than half of all injuries occurred during a worker’s first two years on the job.
Why Are New Hire Injuries So Common?
The data shows that new hires are particularly likely to experience injuries, but it doesn’t explain why. There are several possible explanations. New hires may:
- Not know the company’s safety protocols. As these workers haven’t been with the company long, they may not be fully versed on things like when and how to use personal protective equipment or lockout/tagout procedures.
- Have trouble navigating the job site. Even if they have industry experience, new hires are inexperienced with things specific to the company. For example, they may have trouble using the equipment safely or may be unfamiliar with the driving routes. They may also not know about onsite hazards that more tenured employees avoid.
- Be overly keen to prove themselves. Enthusiasm is often a good thing, but not when it leads to overexertion – which is the leading cause of new hire injuries. For example, new workers may lift more than they can safely handle or may avoid asking for help.
- Lack the time to acclimatize to hot conditions. For outdoor workers (including construction workers) and for indoor workers in hot environments like certain factories, heat-related illness is a serious threat. The CDC says new employees have the highest risk of suffering from heat illnesses and need time to acclimatize to working in hot conditions.
Are Your New Hires Staying Safe on the Job?
Since a significant proportion of workers’ compensation claims involve new hires, helping new hires stay safe on the job is an effective way of controlling workers’ compensation costs and claims. Promoting safety also supports a more positive work environment and boosts retention, since injuries tend to have a negative impact on these goals.
There are several ways to promote new hire safety:
- Provide thorough safety training. Even if new workers have industry experience, safety training is critical. Make sure you train new workers how to use personal protective equipment, avoid common workplace hazards, and safely use all equipment and machinery.
- Foster a culture of safety. If new hires see that none of their coworkers prioritize safety, they will likely learn to be lax about safety, too. Problems may also occur if new hires feel that they have to cut corners or take risks to meet productivity expectations.
- Provide mentorship. Pairing a new worker with a more experienced worker is a good way to ensure the new worker follows procedures and is able to navigate the new work environment.
- Brush up on training for experienced workers, too. Although injury rates are higher for new workers, more experienced workers also suffer from injuries. Plus, they may pass on unsafe habits to new workers.
- Help workers acclimatize to hot conditions. New workers may be unable to perform a full day of work in hot conditions right away. The CDC recommends gradually increasing work time over a period of seven to 14 days.
A Proactive Work Comp Program Will Also Make a Difference
In addition to training and a workplace environment that prioritizes safety, the right workers’ compensation program will help employers take care of workers and keep costs down. Tangram has programs designed for artisan contractors, janitorial services, security guards, portable sanitation, assisted living, fuel dealers, entertainers, social services, and animal welfare organizations. Contact us to learn more.
