Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
As temperatures dip and winter approaches, the risk of serious injury to municipal workers rises dramatically.
From 2009-2012, MIIA received 78 percent of its annual workers’ compensation claims from its nearly 400 members during the months of November through April, and the costs associated with these claims totaled, on average, more than $4.2 million per year.
Snowplowing as well as sanding, salting and de-icing activities greatly increase the risk of employees being struck by moving vehicles. The other most common causes of winter weather injuries include falls on slippery and icy outdoor surfaces, and improper lifting and bending while shoveling snow and removing ice.
Some of the injuries are devastating to both the employee and employer. In some cases, the injuries result in employees being deemed permanently partially disabled and unable to return to work in their previous positions.
Injury prevention
Outdoor slip-and-fall accidents lead to nearly two-thirds of MIIA’s workers’ compensation claims, but these are also among the most preventable mishaps.
MIIA recommends developing and implementing a seasonal protocol that includes the following steps to avoid slip-and-fall-related accidents:
• Designate the employee responsible for each task – such as snow removal or salting patches of ice – and an alternate in case the primary person is absent.
• Specify exactly what type of equipment is available for use and where it is located (e.g., shovels, ice treatment materials).
• Require signs and barriers for areas not yet cleared.
• Set a schedule for periodic inspections of all areas during the day to ensure that they remain safe.
• Provide emergency numbers in case medical assistance is needed.
• Communicate protocol to employees and post reminders throughout municipal buildings.
Filing a claim
When an accident does occur, remember that it is generally the employer’s responsibility (not the employee’s) to report any injury to the municipal workers’ compensation insurance provider – even if there is a question about whether the injury is actually work-related.
It is important to save any communication with the employee concerning work abilities or status of his or her medical condition and share this information with the insurance adjuster.
Finally, filing a claim right after the accident occurs helps to ensure proper medical intervention, speeds up handling of the claim, and helps minimize time lost from work and costs to both the employer and employee.
-By Niko Pappas
Niko Pappas is the Claims Manager for the MIIA Member Services/Workers’ Compensation Department.