How to (Proactively) Keep Employees Safe When Traveling

Nekea Valentine-Bryant

Employers spend billions of dollars every year on workers’ compensation for work-related travel incidents. However, employers can reduce the number of occurrences and improve cost-savings (and productivity) through proactive communication, reviewing policies with employees, and providing proper safety protection for their business and their employees.

Prepare your employee for travel

Before your employees leave for a business trip, follow up with your employee to make sure all their paperwork’s in order (passports, other official documents) for traveling. You might also want to discuss workplace health and safety policies so that your employee thoroughly understands your company’s travel procedures. If your company rents cars for employees who travel for business, be sure to explain any existing rules regarding use of vehicles for company purposes.

Develop a travel safety guide for employees

Company travel policies aren’t the only way to keep employees safe when traveling. Employers can also develop travel guides to provide additional information. These can include tips for what employees should know about their destination (like political climate overseas), proper conduct and practical safety tips while traveling, how to exchange currency, the importance of knowing the quality of public transportation, and why to carry contact information for the nearest U.S. embassy or U.S. consulate. You can also include information on travel alerts and where employees can get information about health precautions at their destination.

Take measures to provide safe transit

According to OSHA, vehicle accidents cost employers an average of $60 billion a year for workers’ compensation. To help reduce costs, all company vehicles should be inspected each month, and proper maintenance should be applied. This will help you identify essential repairs before they need to be made, and keep your workers safer on the road.

Options for out-of-state workers’ compensation

Employers have the option of including workers’ compensation policies in various states called the “Other States” section of the policy. Standard workers’ compensation policies don’t cover out of state accidents, so the “Other States” section allows employers to list states where travel incidents will be covered, even when the claim is filed in that state.

Travel and commercial auto insurance

It’s important to have a commercial auto insurance policy so that you’re prepared in the event of an accident. This policy protects your business by providing coverage for a variety of vehicles. The coverage is similar to a personal auto policy covering liability, collision, comprehensive, personal injury protection, and uninsured motorist coverage.

Travel insurance is equally important for any medical emergencies that may arise, prescription medicine coverage, doctor visits, and other emergency-related issues.

Concentra wants employers and employees alike to be safe when traveling for work. If your employees are traveling overseas, it’s important to be aware of the health risks in their specific destination. Consult with one of Concentra’s travel health experts to learn more about proper protection while traveling.