Minor injuries add up! Simple solutions to reduce your injuries and costs
In 2015–2016 more than 40% of all injuries sustained by Queensland workers originated from lacerations and foreign bodies. If not reported and treated early, these minor injuries can become serious and costly very quickly.
This short film highlights the overall cost of these minor injuries within the manufacturing sector and showcases simple steps taken by some employers to reduce their injuries and costs.
Credits: WorkCover Queensland would like to thank Bradnam's Windows and Doors, Stoddart Manufacturing and Watkins Steel for participating in our film and sharing their experience.
[ background music playing ] [ person welding ] [ young boy walking through workshop throughout the clip while men working on machinery ]
Hi, I'm Will. I'm eleven. I might be a little wet behind the ears but I'm here to talk some sense. You're in business and we all know the bottom line counts in business, but it's not just all about dollars; you want to help your fellow humans too, right? [ # goodhumans ] Well, what if I told you, you can save money and earn yourself some good karma; would that float your boat?
[ people working on machinery ]
You see, workers are exposed to high –risk activities every day. Let me throw some numbers at you. Average days off work, twenty-three; over $82 million in compensation payments; over 11,300 injury claims. That's a lot of people in pain and needing a lot of medical help and days off work. Oh, and it affects your premium too.
After musculoskeletal, lacerations are the next most common injury type. Oh, blood, I hate blood #feeling woozy. They don't usually cost a lot but because they happen frequently, they can really impact your premium and affect a lot of workers. Rehab is great but it's time-consuming and for workers with existing health conditions, even a seemingly minor incident can be life-changing. You see, small injuries are just big injuries waiting to happen. If they are not treated quickly, a splinter could turn into an amputation and a laceration into an infection. Some smart businesses have been taking pretty simple steps in spending a little time and money to make their workplaces safer and they are reaping the rewards.
Your challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to step up and take risks down. I am hear at Bradnam's Windows and Doors where opportunity knocked and they trialled these really cool Stanley knives with a ceramic blade instead of a traditional metal one. Staff loved them and there were no accidents during the trial. They also last longer so they are safer and more cost-effective. Winning.
Here at Stoddart, where they make stainless steel and metal products, they used to have a lot of finger and hand injuries. But then they introduced these really cool new gloves to be worn at all times and they significantly cut their laceration claims. [ #seewhatididthereagain ]
Check me out here on Watkins Steel. These guys had an 80% decrease in wounds and cuts because they introduced this really cool plasma cutter that could do some of the more dangerous work. It's not rocket science unless you manufacture rockets. Mmm, rockets, [thought cloud of a rocket] sorry I got distracted. I'm a kid, it happens. But what I am trying to say is, it can be as easy as child's play. Know your numbers and put your thinking caps on. What can you do to stop dangerous work from happening? It could be a realistically minor change and it doesn't have to cost a lot, but it could help manufacturing workers like my dad and it could save you some coin too. It's a win, win, my friends. Will – out. END OF TRANSCRIPT
Webinar recording
For more information on this topic watch our webinar recording and learn from the panel of experts, what strategies you can implement in your workplace.