No matter what type of business that you’re in, you have a responsibility to provide your employees with a safe and supportive working environment! It’s also incumbent upon employees to prove that they’re physically capable of performing all required duties and to ensure that workplace safety standards are consistently followed. First Choice is proud to be Arkansas’ most trusted third-party administrator, and we offer every conceivable lab test at our southwest Little Rock testing center. No company is ever too small for a random drug testing program, and we keep a Medical Review Officer (MRO) on staff to ensure the accuracy of all testing results. We can also help you meet your workers’ compensation insurance requirements and offer fit-for-duty exams by appointment.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 guarantees every worker the right to a safe workplace, and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) guarantees benefits for injured employees as they recover. Workers’ comp is administered and underwritten by insurance carriers, providing wage replacement, medical care, and rehabilitation for eligible employees who are injured on the job or who develop a work-related illness. Meeting all workers’ compensation insurance requirements ensures that you won’t be forced to pay those expenses out of your own budget in the event of a future claim.

To meet your workers’ comp requirements, you’ll need to schedule a fit-for-duty exam for all new hires, as well as any current employees who are returning to work after filing a claim. The exam confirms that an employee can meet the physical demands of the job, and typically takes less than an hour. The exam also documents any prior injuries that you’ll be “inheriting” to ensure that you’re not held liable for unrelated claims.

The most important thing you can do to protect your employees and reduce your own exposure to future claims is to train your staff on all safety protocols and ensure that they’re followed at all times. Safety in the workplace is everyone’s responsibility, and every team member should have the authority to report any observed safety hazards immediately, without fear of punishment or reprisal.

To learn more about workers’ compensation insurance or to schedule a fit-for-duty exam, contact us online or at (501) 661-9992.