Reality Check: The Real Cost of Workplace Injury

Workplace injuries and illnesses trigger a domino effect of consequences that radiate outward from the individual employee.

Even seemingly minor incidents can cause a shadow of negative effects that touch the employee’s family and friends, co-workers, campus and community.

• PERSONAL: What is the physical and emotional cost to the employee and his or her family?• Physical, emotional, social, financial

• FINANCIAL: What are the sometimes hidden effects on the fiscal health of the department, the UC Davis campus and the UC system as a whole?• Less funding for vital research and academic

programs• Effects on reputation as an employer of choice

Monthly Safety Spotlight, October 2009

PERSONAL RISK MANAGEMENT

Think Safe. Act Safe. Be Safe.

The Real Impacts of Workplace Incidents

• Discomfort, pain

• Medication and side effects

• Stress, embarrassment

• Inability to participate in normal activities

• Family alarmed and upset

• Research/project interrupted

• Disconnected from co-workers

• Trying to cope with documentation requirements

• Out of pocket medical expenses

• Disruption in department

• Research/project interrupted

• Extensive documentation

• Scramble to cover workload

• Co-workers take on extra work

• Department pays (figure) for initial medical costs

Time elapsed: 1 week

Impact on Individual Impact on University

Think Safe. Act Safe. Be Safe.

• Discomfort, pain

• Medication, physical therapy, rehabilitation

• Inability to participate in and contribute to the community

• Negative impacts on personal relationships

• Inability to continue in chosen career

• Loss of self-esteem

• Loss of connection with co-workers and career networks

• Trying to cope with ongoing documentation demands

• Additional out of pocket medical expenses

• Disruption in department

• Continued setbacks in research or project

• Continued documentation demands

• Department unable to meet its commitments to other departments

• Negative impacts on co-workers assuming added workload

• Expenses for added hours or contractor to backfill workload

• Resources spent arranging for alternative work for injured employee

• Department budget hit with injury allocation

• UC pays more for insurance

• Possible regulatory penalties

Time elapsed: 1 year

Impact on Individual

Impact on University

The Real Impacts of Workplace Incidents

Think Safe. Act Safe. Be Safe.