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Florida Pool Pro
sm
• October 2014
uncomfortable and the difference is significant.
Slips and falls: Yes, this is primarily regarding your employees. We have
had a couple of our largest recent workers’ compensation claims due to an
employee slip and/or fall. Invariably it occurs as a result of improper foot wear.
Comfort is not as important as safety. Please make sure your crews have
good footwear with good, non-slip grips.
Structure a Return to Work program: Basically what this means is to,
whenever possible, bring injured workers back to the office/shop/field
performing tasks that fall within doctor restrictions. As you know, the new
calculation formula for your experience modification factor has “doubled down”
on the penalty for claims frequency. The sooner you can get an employee off
workers’ compensation by paying him for returning to work early (even part
time at lesser duties) the less of an affect that claim will have in the formula.
Of course we need a physician’s release to do so. Insurance by Ken Brown
can help you structure this program.
Post-Hire Medical Questionnaire: More often than you would think, we
have employees who suffer injuries primarily due to a pre-existing condition
or injury. They perform an activity which aggravates the injury and you end up
with a significant workers’ compensation claim. During the hiring process there
are questions related to medical disabilities or prior workers’ compensation
injuries you cannot ask. However, once a job offer has been extended and
accepted (preferably before they start work) that is the best time to have a
questionnaire completed.
General Liability
Secure your jobsites: In the past two years we have had three separate
claims of people falling into their own empty swimming pools which were
undergoing renovations. In each instance they knew the pool was empty, they
invited the pool company to perform repair or renovations which required the
draining of the pool and in each instance the homeowner brought suit against
the pool contractor after they had fallen in. All three pool companies had
followed general protocol and building codes. Yet attorneys contended that
more could have been done to secure the site.
Written Construction/Service Contract: If you use a written contract or
