Why Effective Employee Screening Reduces Workers Compensation Costs
Safety professionals have always believed that new (or transferred) employee selection and placement has a significant impact on the success of their safety and health program. What they are in essence doing is taking proactive steps to match the new (or transferred) employee to the requirements and hazards of the job and, where necessary, train that new employee on the safe practices associated with their new job function. In the process there are important federal and state employment laws that must be adhered to as well.
Sound screening and hiring practices will have a dramatic affect on the success of the following components of an effective safety and health program:
- Reduction of the frequency of injuries. It has been clearly demonstrated that putting the right person in the right job is one of the best means of reducing the risk of work-related injuries.
- Supports temporary duty (return-to-work) programs. Employers are discovering the value of temporary duty programs in providing “on-the-job rehabilitation,” orientation, and retraining – all geared to avoiding the loss of valued employees to the workers compensation system. Because the placement of injured workers on temporary or restricted duty involves careful placement, many of the practices covered in this chapter apply.
- Supports the organization’s ergonomic program. Ergonomic programs, by definition, concentrate on matching people and jobs for a good, productive, injury-free fit. Therefore, good hiring practices will reinforce the effectiveness of your ergonomic program.
The Resource Library within the CompEraser system is loaded with all the tools, forms and checklists you must have to successfully implement an effective employee screening program. For more information go to www.comperaser.com.
