The 2020 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index (WSI) found that the most disabling workplace injuries cost more than $59 billion per year.
U.S. businesses spend more than $1 billion per week on the most disabling workplace injuries. Compiled annually, the Index researched the top 10 causes of the most serious workplace injuries — those that cause employees to miss work for more than five days — and ranked those causes by their direct cost to employers, based on medical and lost-wage expenses.
Top 10 causes of disabling workplace injuries:
As businesses reassess and refine business operations, now is a good time to address the many risks that employees can face in the workplace. Liberty Mutual took the Workplace Safety Index (WSI) a step further and broke down the most costly causes of injuries into eight industry-specific reports:
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us for assistance. We are here to help.
Gulfshore Insurance is a Naples, Florida based insurance agency specializing in business insurance including liability insurance, property insurance, workers compensation insurance, vehicle insurance, business income interruption insurance, cyber insurance, commercial umbrella insurance, and more. Our insurance and risk management advisors are industry specialists for condominium associations, golf and country clubs, oil and petroleum marketers, construction, landscaping, churches and non-profits, and work comp. Navigating insurance requires an experienced and trusted insurance agent who understands your business risks and exposures. Gulfshore Insurance services Naples, North Naples, Marco Island, Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, Sarasota, Lido Beach, Longboat Key, Bradenton Beach, and Southwest Florida. We have office locations in Naples, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, and Sarasota.
The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued clarification and guidance on COVID-19 and treated recreational water venues. The advice and answers provided are useful to swimmers, swim programs and swimming venues.
Can the COVID-19 virus spread through pools, hot tubs, and water playgrounds?
There is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to humans through the use of pools and hot tubs. Proper operation, maintenance, and disinfection (e.g., with chlorine and bromine) of pools and hot tubs should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.
While there is ongoing community spread of the virus, it is important for individuals, as well as operators of public pools, hot tubs, and water playgrounds (for example, at hotels or apartment complexes or owned by communities) to take steps
to ensure health and safety:
- Everyone should follow state, local, territorial, or tribal guidance that might determine when and how public pools, hot tubs, or water playgrounds may operate and might include CDC considerations.
- In addition to ensuring water quality and safety, operators of public pools, hot tubs, and water playgrounds should follow guidance on cleaning and disinfecting community facilities.
Can the COVID-19 virus spread through drinking water?
The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking water. Conventional water treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, such as those in most municipal drinking water systems, should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.
Can the COVID-19 virus spread through sewerage systems?
CDC is reviewing all data on COVID-19 transmission as information becomes available. At this time, the risk of transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 through sewerage systems is thought to be low. Although transmission of COVID-19 through sewage may be possible, there is no evidence to date that this has occurred. This guidance will be updated as necessary as new evidence is assessed.
SARS, a similar coronavirus, has been detected in untreated sewage for up to 2 to 14 days. In the 2003 SARS outbreak, there was documented transmission associated with sewage aerosols. Data suggest that standard municipal wastewater system chlorination practices may be sufficient to inactivate coronavirus, as long as utilities monitor free available chlorine during treatment to ensure it has not been depleted.
Wastewater and sewage workers should use standard practices, practice basic hygiene precautions, and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as prescribed for current work tasks.
For further information on water transmission and COVID-19, please visit the CDC website.
Historically, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has not payed a great deal of attention to the Golf and Country Club industry in comparison to other “high-hazard” industries. OSHA officials admit that in the past, reasons for most of their inspections at clubs was due to either employee complaints or employee injury/fatalities.
More recently, OSHA has been focusing on the club industry and hitting clubs with more and more citations for violating OSHA standards. Not only are these citations frustrating, but they are financially costly to the club as well.
Here are the Top 5 Most Common Golf and Country Club OSHA Citations from 2019:
- Hazard Communication
- Maintenance, Safeguards, and Operational Feature for Exit Routes
- General Requirements: Personal Protective Equipment
- Respiratory Requirements
- Portable Fire Extinguishers
For additional OSHA compliance resources visit www.osha.gov or contact the local OSHA office.
At Gulfshore Insurance, we specialize in insurance and risk management for golf and country clubs. We work with more than 50 clubs throughout Florida and we are happy to assist you with training materials, safety programs, and insurance for your club.
Jeffrey Sanders, TRIP is Client Advisor at Gulfshore Insurance. Jeff works with a wide range of business clients to deliver strategic risk analysis, guidance, and insurance. Comments and questions are welcome at jsanders@gulfshoreinsurance.com
After spending 10 years as a PGA Professional at some of America’s most prestigious clubs, I saw my fair share of medical emergencies. I once had a member faint of heat stroke just steps away from me. Another time, I had a guest go into cardiac arrest on the 18th fairway. Emergencies are going to happen. The only way to handle them properly and potentially save a life is to have a plan in place.
- Create Your Plan
Who is doing what in case of emergency? Don’t ever assume that even your most seasoned employee will handle themselves correctly during an emergency. Think of how an emergency may play out (i.e. a member has a heart attack on the golf course). Iron out the details of what will be required of each staff member. Who is calling 911? Who is going to meet and escort the ambulance from the entrance of your property? Who has been trained with the defibrillator? Who is CPR certified?
- Practice Makes Perfect
This is no secret. The only way you can trust your staff to react accordingly is to practice. Create a mock scenario and run through it as if it is the real thing. Run through a scenario on the golf course, then a scenario in the dining room, sports complex, etc. Practice the scenario in each area of your facility.
- Communication is the Key
The entire staff should have radios for effective communication. The nearest staff member may use their cell phone to call 911, but they still need to alert the rest of the staff of the medical emergency so everyone can pitch in. The emergency alert call should go to one main location that can alert the rest of the staff (i.e. golf shop). Don’t forget to communicate with other departments (i.e. the guard gate)!
- Assess How Your Staff Responded
The assessment post emergency or practice scenario is essential. If there were any imperfections, discuss how they can be improved. Get feedback from your staff and if they recommend any changes, consider the changes. Don’t assume you know better than your troops on the ground.
I can tell you from experience, having a plan in place that has been practiced can save a life. Be sure your staff and team are ready for that emergency.
At Gulfshore Insurance, we specialize in insurance and risk management for golf and country clubs. We work with more than 50 clubs throughout Florida and we are happy to assist you with training materials, safety programs, and insurance for your club.
Jeffrey Sanders, TRIP is Client Advisor at Gulfshore Insurance. Jeff works with a wide range of business clients to deliver strategic risk analysis, guidance, and insurance. Comments and questions are welcome at jsanders@gulfshoreinsurance.com
I spent 10 years in the private club industry before pivoting into the insurance world. As a manager, two of my top concerns internally were wellbeing of my staff and team, and the budget.
Workplace injuries drive up costs in many ways and often most significantly in your insurance premiums. By investing in a safe workplace for your employees, you can achieve those two objectives.
Here are the Top 5 Workplace Injuries for Golf and Country Clubs
- Lifting & Handling: Strains and pulls (musculoskeletal)make up nearly 25% of all workplace injuries. Back pain, neck pain, leg pain can all result from lifting or handling something awkwardly or too heavy.
Solution: Encourage employees to evaluate then lift. Get help from another co-worker and use mechanical aids if available.
- Slips, Trips and Falls: Many of these happen around the kitchen and when entering the building during wet weather.
Solution: Kitchen staff must wear non-slip footwear at all times. Don’t just put mats and “slippery/wet” signs where your members enter and exit, but also where your employees do as well.
- Burns: Again, stemming from the kitchen, burns are common from hot surfaces and liquids. Often times they are the result of inexperience or haste (hot plate, hot liquid spill).
Solution: Make your staff aware of hot items or liquids. Train the new employees on potential hazards, especially if they are inexperienced in food service.
- Cuts: The Kitchen is a dangerous place. Cuts from knives and automated slicers are far too common.
Solution: Staff sharp knives must use a cut resistant glove. Train proper cutting techniques.
- Golf Cart Injuries: Golf carts can be very dangerous. Most injuries occur when staff is not using caution, have body parts hanging outside of the golf cart, or using the cart improperly (i.e. riding on the back).
Solution: Strict guidelines need to be in place and reviewed with the golf staff. Specify the proper uses of golf carts (they are not utility carts) and identify areas of caution around your facility. Under no circumstances should any person be allowed to ride on the back of a golf cart.
At Gulfshore Insurance, we specialize in insurance and risk management for golf and country clubs. We work with more than 50 clubs throughout Florida and we are happy to assist you with training materials, safety programs, and insurance for your club.
Jeffrey Sanders, TRIP is Client Advisor at Gulfshore Insurance. Jeff works with a wide range of business clients to deliver strategic risk analysis, guidance, and insurance. Comments and questions are welcome at jsanders@gulfshoreinsurance.com
