Today Is 'Most Dangerous Day' in Colorado

Denver, CO (WorkersCompensation.com) - A new study by Pinnacol Assurance reports that today is typically the most dangerous day for workers in Colorado, with weather-related “slip, trip and fall’’ injuries being the primary driver of workers’ compensation claims.

Pinnacol, Colorado’s largest workers compensation claims carrier, reports data showed that  for the past five years, January 9 has consistently been the day with the most reported injuries. An average of 198 workers are injured on January 9, an increase of 62 percent over other days. Further analysis revealed that most injuries were “slip, trip and fall on ice or snow,’’ one of the more common workers’ compensation injuries Pinnacol sees.

“Snowy weather is part of Colorado’s allure and charm, and anyone who’s lived or run a business in Colorado knows conditions can change rapidly. So it’s no surprise that we see a lot of these injuries,’’ said Ellen Sarvay, Pinnacol safety consultant and an expert in slip, trip and fall avoidance.

Sarvay’s team looked at 42,000 claims over the past five years to obtain the survey information.  Pinnacol tracks trends in worker injuries with the goal of providing increased education where it counts.  

“More awareness, preparation and caution in bad weather could help reduce these injuries significantly, ‘’ said Sarvay.

One way to avoid a dangerous slip or fall is to ‘walk like a penguin.’ “It sounds silly, but it’s easy to remember,’’ Sarvay said. “And it really does work. Keep your hands out of your pockets, take slow shuffling steps – step down not out, to put more of your foot in contact with the ground.’’

Another little-known danger zone for workers is getting in and out of cars. As they transfer their weight to one leg either getting in or out of vehicles, it’s easy for them to lose their footing on icy surfaces. Sarvay counsels employees to maintain three points of contact  at all times, with either two feet on the ground and a hand held on something that isn’t going to move like a doorframe or steering wheel or one foot on the ground and two handholds.  

The most common injuries Pinnacol recorded on January 9 were: slip, trip or falls; strains; cuts, and workers struck by an object like hitting a head on a shelf.

Study results also showed that the industries contributing most to injuries on January 9 were professional /clerical (office workers) and health care.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, health care workers across the country had an injury rate of 4.1 incidents per every 100 workers; while office workers are more than 2 to 2.5 times more likely to be injured on the job than non-office workers.

The National Safety Council reports the top three injuries to American workers in 2017 were over-exertion; contact with objects; and slips, trips and falls.

Sarvay said there are many things both employers and employees can do to help avoid injuries and claims.

Employers have a responsibility to keep walkways, parking lots and other surface areas well-lit and free from ice and snow.

“If you can’t see where you’re going, it’s harder to stay on your feet,’’ Sarvay noted.  “Pinnacol also sees many claims from people hurting themselves when they hit those indoor surfaces, like lobby areas … It’s important to take a look at your building’s entryways and ask what happens when snow gets tracked in. ‘’ Make sure you have enough mats and rugs to cover any flooring that may get slick.

Pinnacol analyzed additional major industries in Colorado and found the most dangerous days were: 

• Construction and Natural Resources: July 28
• Education: February 4
• Service and Hospitality: July 13

Pinnacol officials noted that not every worker injury is preventable, even in the best conditions. However, awareness, preparation, and training can be a big factor in preventing claims in the future. 

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