The Hidden Cost Of Accidents

For ship captains in arctic waters, icebergs are a major concern. They know that below the surface of the iceberg’s tip lies an unseen force with the potential to sink a ship and all its crew. Like an iceberg, workplace accidents contain hidden (or indirect) costs with the potential to sink a company by draining its profits. One way to prevent workplace accidents and the impact of their resulting costs is to create and maintain an effective safety and loss prevention program.

The visible or direct costs of an accident are obvious when the medical costs, compensation payments, and

insurance premium are calculated. These costs are generally paid by the insurance company using premium

dollars and some employers consider these costs “part of doing business.” But these direct costs are just the tip of the accident expense iceberg. Studies show that for every dollar of direct costs there are many more dollars in indirect costs, the hidden, uninsured cost of accidents. Many companies are unaware of the underlying cost repercussion generated by a single accident, because those expenses may not be immediately

obvious. Indirect costs vary greatly from case to case and are not easily identified. They’re often less

predictable and therefore, more difficult to control. 

These hidden costs are ultimately paid for out of company profits. Indirect costs include:

• Time lost wages
• Lost productivity and revenue
• Disrupted work schedules
• Training new workers
• Damaged to material
or equipment
• Overhead paid during
work disruption
• Lost customers
or sales
• Litigation fees or fines
Keep your company afloat. Look at your business. See where accidents are likely to occur. Be proactive in
preventing workplace accidents by establishing a safety program that educates workers in accident and injury prevention. Every accident that’s prevented will save your company money – money that will remain in
profits. An ongoing safety program is your best protection against the financial impact of a workplace accident. q

Warm Up
Working in cold conditions can result in cold stress or hypothermia which can negatively affect worker health and safety. Construction workers can develop cold stress when working outdoors on a cold day; in an unheated building; in cold water, rain, or snow; or while handling cold objects or materials.
Once the body loses its ability to maintain a normal temperature, the body temperature lowers, and symptoms such as violent shivering, dehydration, numbness, frostbite, or immersion foot (trench foot),
slow or slurred speech, confusion, hallucinations, a weak and irregular pulse, or unconsciousness can occur. Manual dexterity also decreases with cold and can result in unsafe work practices. Employers can protect workers from cold stress by providing training, controlling temperature and wind when possible by
using heaters and windbreaks, rotating workers in cold jobs, scheduling work at warmest times, encouraging self-pacing and extra breaks if necessary, establishing a buddy system, and keeping first aid supplies and equipment available. Workers can prevent cold stress by dressing with warm, layered, proper insulated

and well- ventilated clothing; seeking warm locations during breaks; and replacing lost fluids with warm, sweet, non-caffeine-containing drinks. Certain people are more susceptible to cold stress - people who are not physically fit, have a chronic illness, drink alcohol or take drugs (including prescription drugs), are wet or damp from work or weather, are fatigued, are exposed to vibration from tools, don’t wear the right

clothing, or are not used to working in cold conditions. By taking the necessary precautions,

employers and workers together can minimize the potential for cold stress.

e. If your tools are sharp and in good repair,they’ll require less force to use. The size, texture or padding of a tool can also affect your grip and handling ease. In some cases, properly fitted gloves, finger cots, or tape can increase friction and reduce force.

Contact force occurs when a body part is pressed against a hard surface- such as a tool handle, lever or worktable. Combine force with a harmful position and the risk of muscle fatigue or injury increases. Use your whole hand or as much of your hand as possible when grasping a tool or object. Repetitions can be reduced if you can alternate your work tasks or change the way you do them. This allows different muscles a chance to rest. Reduce the likelihood of developing work-related MSDs by becoming aware of what you’re doing, how you’re doing it, and how long you’re doing it.