A new study conducted by Selective Insurance Group shows that employers in all industries need to make sure all new workers undergo thorough safety training to avoid accidents and injuries.
The study reviewed 10 years of workers’ compensation claims and revealed that, on average, employees in 2021 reported workplace-related injuries 18% earlier in their tenure than employees did in 2011 – after 5.2 years of service in 2011 compared to 6.4 years in 2021.
Injuries reported in employees’ first year on the job have also increased between 2011 and 2021, with 38% of workers comp claims filed by first-year employees in 2021 compared to 32% of first-year employees filing claims in 2011.
The data points reflect the average tenure date at the time of the claim and do not indicate an increase in claims frequency, Selective Insurance found.
"Our long- and short-term data about employees' tenure at the time of workplace injury demonstrates the importance of ongoing and effective employee training and safety management across all industries," said Paul Kush, the company’s executive vice president and chief claims officer.
"With labor shortages and the challenging hiring environment, tenured employees may be taking on additional responsibilities which is why workplace injury prevention strategies to help employees stay safe should be top-of-mind for businesses."
Employers should take heed, according to Scott Smith, vice president and director of safety management for Selective Insurance. "The incidence of first-year employee injuries at many types of companies reveals that no business or entity is immune from the need for a safety orientation process for people new to their job.”
To minimize risks, he said all employers must make sure that new employees receive orientation on workplace risk management including safety hazards, emergency response plans, and safe driving expectations if company vehicles are operated