Author, Greg Garcia, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Workers’ compensation premiums typically represent one of the largest overhead expenses for landscape companies. Premium costs are driven by the number and severity of claims a company has had over a five-year period. Thus, fewer claims often equate to a lower premium paid for workers’ compensation insurance.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) takes a closer look at the landscape industry, detailing where claim frequency is increasing and decreasing.

When analyzing the claims data, a couple of areas stand out as contributors to higher premiums.

Most notably, 50% of all serious claims occur during the first year of an employee’s tenure. Employees under the age of 34 are also more susceptible to a serious claim occurrence. Therefore, it is best to provide new hires with immediate and comprehensive safety training when they first start and continue to emphasize a safety culture throughout their tenure to minimize claims. As employees gain experience, they become more likely to take safety seriously.

The data also shows that loading and unloading trucks and trailers causes roughly 20% of all serious claims. This includes loading and unloading materials, tools, and equipment. Although a seemingly simple task, it’s often overlooked, yet statistics confirm that improved attention to safety when performing these tasks can significantly reduce serious claims.

The industry has seen a considerable decline in claims from overexertion injuries such as back sprains and disc disorders which were once a large contributor to higher premiums. The improvement of lifting techniques and implementation of programs such as Rancho Mesa’s Mobility & Stretch/A.B.L.E. Lift Program, have played a key role in reducing these claims. Programs such as these ensure employees are lifting properly while also stretching their muscles before they begin work.

Reducing workers’ compensation claims should be a top priority for any landscape company. Not only does it protect employees from harm but it also can benefit the company’s bottom line. As an added resource to reducing workers’ compensation claims, Rancho Mesa encourages landscape businesses to take advantage of available safety trainings for new and experienced employees, implement safety measures for loading and unloading trucks, and utilize the Mobility & Stretch/A.B.L.E. Lift Protocol.

In order for you to take your safety program to another level, sign up and receive our weekly safety training tailgate talks specifically designed for the landscape industry.

To start a conversation about how Rancho Mesa can assist your company, contact me at (619) 438-6905 or ggarcia@ranchomesa.com.