Reducing Premiums (CONT’D FROM PAGE 32)
Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
nation has created a vacuum in the nation’s work roles. “People not coming back to work can contribute to lower workers’ comp costs in the short run but higher costs later on as employers hire replacements more susceptible to injury,” said Free. “When employers restaff, they often take on new and inexperienced people. Because they lack the required skills and training, they end up getting hurt.” The problem of unskilled workers escalates when the scarcity of individuals to train new recruits leads to instruc- tion by Zoom. And that is exactly what is happening now. “We are seeing rashes of claims from people who are op- erating a certain machine for the first time,” says Moore. “The old rule of thumb tells us that 90 percent of accidents happen during the first week a person uses a machine. So we’re seeing a rash of claims because of the learning curves.” According to a recent survey from the Golden Tri- angle Business Roundtable in Texas, employees with less than five years of experience contribute to 43 percent of overall workplace injuries. Such accidents can be particularly costly in riskier envi- ronments. “The construction and manufacturing industries have the most problematic workers’ comp claims experi- ence,” says Sieberg. “Many of the claims tend to be larger ones, and some are at the catastrophic level. A carpenter falling off a roof will likely incur significant injuries. Such a claim may cost the employer 20 or 25 points in experience rating. And that will continue on for a typical three-year experience period.” Positive Trends Despite greater challenges in the workers’ comp envi- ronment, there is good news. A growing use of outpatient services is helping to reduce costs. So is the employment of telehealth and telemedicine—technologies which re- ceived tremendous boosts from the COVID pandemic. “I expect telemedicine to become more and more com- mon with employers,” says Sieberg. “It allows for faster re- sponse time for injured workers to get in front of qualified medical providers without having to make appointments or travel to physician offices. It also helps with remote case management, easier access to medication, and quicker re- turn to work by injured employees. The net effect can be a reduction in medical costs and ultimately in overall claims.” And then there is a favorable trend in safety conditions. Employers have made great strides in reducing the risk of trips and falls, and in boosting ergonomics and increasing the safety of machinery. “Workplace safety and claim management continue to be the two areas that an individual employer has the greatest control over when it comes to putting a cap on workers’ comp costs,” says Sieberg. “Good practices in both areas can save money.” Phillip M. Perry is an award-winning business journalist whose byline has appeared over 3,000 times in the na- tion’s business press. Contact him at phil@pmperry.com .
ARC INTERNATIONAL www.ARCInternational .com
ARC International is a world leader in the manufacturing of roller products for flexography. The latest nano-technology laser engraving in our NC and NV manufacturing facilities ensures superior quality and consistency in anilox rollers.
AES (ADVANCED EQUIPMENT SALES) www.aesales.net
AES is a leading full-service provider of integrated convey- ance systems specializing in scrap, trim, and dust. AES en- gineers custom scrap systems and works as a partner in process improvement to help businesses achieve greater profitability, productivity, and sustainability. Products include balers, shredders/hoggers, core shredders, filters, fans, and specializeddust control andcollectionsystems. AES is theex- clusive distributor for the AirShark Rotary Material Separator. For a wide variety of new and used equipment on to- day’s market, visit our website at www.acm-corp.com. BAUMER HHS CORPORATION www.baumerhhs.com hhs is a global leader in advanced gluing, camera verifica- tion and quality assurance systems for the packaging indus- try. Zero-defect quality and elevated production speeds are key parameters in the manufacturing of corrugated boxes. With hhs Xcam Box Monitoring and non-contact flap gluing of corrugated board, hhs offers every option for quality as- surance in the production of boxes with flexo folder gluers. AMERICAN CORRUGATED MACHINE www.acm-corp.com BLOWER APPLICATION COMPANY (BLOAPCO) www.BloApCo.com BloApCo has served the corrugated industry since 1933 with a variety of scrap handling solutions, including Hori- zontal Floor Shredders, Trim Cutters, and Material Handling Fans and Conveying Systems. BloApCo Shredders allow for continuous shredding and pneumatic removal of sheet waste stacks of all sizes, roll slab, cores, and carton scrap.
CORRUGATED MACHINERY SPECIALISTS www.cmsretrofits.com
Leading manufacturer and installer of quality retrofits, up- grades and replacement parts for S&S and Prime Flexo Folder Gluers. Specialists in reconditioning of S&S Flexo Folder Gluers, including ink, air and electrical systems.
CORRUGATOR BELT SERVICE LLC www.corrugator.com
Serving the corrugated box industry since 1991, Chicago- based Corrugator Belt Service LLC maintains corru- gator belts for peak board quality and performance.
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April 11, 2022
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