What You Need to Know about Reducing Recordables

Anna Kleiner

No recordables may be every employer’s dream, but what can you do to make that happen? Is it possible to eliminate recordables? Can you keep your workforce safe 100% of the time?

Realistically: probably not. But you can reduce recordables on your worksite so that they don’t happen as often. Start by following these three steps.

Step 1: Make a plan

Developing a plan is the first step in minimizing the impact of recordables. The most effective way is to start by considering what you know about your industry, your workplace, and workforce. Think about what kind of injuries you see most often in your workforce, or see reported in articles about your industry. Ask yourself:

  • What type of injuries is my safety program focused on preventing? (Falls, toxic exposures, etc.)
  • What are the most common injuries I see in my workforce today?
  • What type of injuries could my workplace contribute to?
  • What does the Bureau of Labor Statistics report as the most common injuries in my industry?
  • Is my safety program working well? Why or why not?

Use your answers and OSHA’s recordable regulations to develop the best plan for your workforce. It’s also a great idea to review it with your occupational health provider. They may have feedback that can make your plan even more effective.

Step 2: Partner with an occupational medicine provider

When it comes to controlling recordables, your local primary care physician probably isn’t the best choice. They typically don’t have the background and specialized training needed to effectively reduce recordables, and may not be up-to-date on OSHA’s recordable regulations. Because of this, they may prescribe unnecessary treatments or work restrictions that result in avoidable recordables.

Trained occupational medicine clinicians can make a huge difference when it comes to keeping your workers safe and healthy, and minimizing recordables. It’s not just about knowing when an injury should or shouldn’t be treated with first aid. It’s also because they know the rules and regulations that can contribute to a recordable. They’ve worked with organizations just like yours to reduce recordables, and know what works and what doesn’t.

Partnering with an occupational medicine provider also ensures that the clinicians know your workplace, your industry, and what your employees do. Knowing exactly what’s involved in an employee’s daily job tasks—and how that can impact safety and recovery—can help clinicians make more informed recommendations when it comes to injury care. This can mean the difference between getting hit with an unnecessary recordable or not.

Step 3: Educate your employees

It doesn’t matter how great your safety plan is or how much money you invest if you don’t engage your employees. Their participation will make or break your plan, and to participate most effectively, they should know how it will benefit them.

Your employees don’t want to get hurt at work, but they don’t always understand what’s required to prevent recordables. Educating them not just about safety but also the importance of proper equipment and staying active after an injury can make a big difference when it comes to keeping them engaged.

Make sure to hold regular safety training and post reminders about safe behaviors around your workplace. It may even be worthwhile to have an occupational medicine physician or physical therapist come to your worksite to talk to your employees about staying safe and preventing injuries on the job.

 

If you'd like to learn more about effective ways to reduce recordables, or you need to partner with an occupational medicine provider for better injury care, talk to a Concentra work health expert.