What’s the Riskiest Part of Any Job? NCCI’s Brian Stein Looks at MVAs

Safety at Work

Orlando, FL (WorkersCompensation.com) -- When it comes to dangerous jobs, an office worker sitting in a chair at a cubicle doesn't paint a picture of a risk-defying adrenaline junkie taking care of business that the rest of us shy away from.

But, as Brian Stein explained in his session at NCCI's AIS on Wednesday, if that office worker has to drive across town to a meeting, she's living on the edge and stepping into the riskiest part of her job -- as is everyone who gets in their car for employment-related reasons.

"Being on the road is the most dangerous part of any job," Stein said. "For all drivers, a collision claim is filed, on average, once every 18 years, meaning we're all going to get in several collisions in our lifetimes."

With motor vehicle accidents growing as a share of loss and costing more than other claims, Stein dug into the "why" behind some of the numbers.

Why Do They Cost So Much?

There are a few reasons why MVAs are some of the costliest workers' compensation events, but one of the biggest has to do with what you learn in school.

"What makes these claims so costly is energy," Stein said. "It comes down to simple physics, and that's because energy depends more on speed than weight of a vehicle."

So, when an MVA happens, a worker is more likely to experience injuries in multiple areas, like neck, lumbar spine, and shoulder.

On top of that, in addition to the loss of life and human tragedy when an MVA involves a fatality, such occurrences cost on average $400,000.

Similarly, third parties are often involved in MVAs, increasing the potential for increases costs.

What About the Injuries?

The kinds of injuries involved in MVAs are the kind that typically come with a hefty price tags.

"The cost to treat injuries outpaces the cost when compared to all lost time claims," Stein said. "Workers involved in car crashes often must receive care in in-patient facilities, and legs and hips are a complex structure that support our weight, meaning surgery may be necessary."

Plus, if more than one worker are traveling together, it raises the potential for more costs.

"Crashes also stand out in their ability to injure multiple coworkers at once," Stein said.

Prevention is Key

Looking at trends, frequency has gotten worse since 2012, which, not surprisingly, is when smartphone use began to take off. In the years since, technology has become even more pervasive, as many cars come equipped with infotainment systems that allow drivers to have the bells and whistles of smartphones on their dashboard consoles.

"Distracted driving causes a third of fatalities," Stein said.

And although many states have passed laws requiring hands-free usage, no texting and driving, and similar measures to combat distractions, the impact of such legislation fades after the initial few months.

So, what's worked?

"In the trucking industry, businesses are going beyond regulations for safety," Stein said. "There's improved maintenance, tracking, and dash cameras that monitor the driver using AI to provide immediate feedback for distracted or drowsy drivers."

These developments have complemented regulatory changes that have required electronic stability controls on trucks and electronic logging devices to record driving time and engine data. Additionally, a drug and alcohol clearinghouse has been established for those seeking commercial driver's licenses.

Some of the biggest steps toward -- and possibly challenges for -- safety appear to be coming in the near future, Stein said, as autonomous vehicles start to become a reality.

"Self-driving trucks are already on the highways," Stein said. "And in Texas, self-driving trucks with no occupants are already operating."

But even with technology, rules, and better records, Stein emphasized that it's easy for all of us to put down the phone and focus on driving.

"It's tempting to shoot off that email while sitting at the light or check out what's popping up on your phone," Stein said. "But it's just not worth it."

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