The employer may be held liable when an employee is injured while traveling for work purposes. This occurs when the employer does not take the necessary precautions to ensure the employee’s safety while traveling. Some things employers can do to help reduce this risk include ensuring employees are aware of any potential dangers, providing adequate training, and having insurance in place.
Ensure Employees Are Aware of Any Potential Dangers
Employers have a duty of care to their employees, including taking reasonable steps to ensure their safety while traveling for work. This means being aware of any potential dangers employees may face and taking steps to mitigate them. One way to do this is to provide employees with training on staying safe while traveling, such as what to do in an emergency.
Employees should also be given clear guidance on what to do if they are injured while traveling for work purposes. In particular, they should be aware of the potential risks of trying to continue working while injured, as this could exacerbate their injuries.
Provide Adequate Training
Not only can they be painful and inconvenient, but they can also lead to lost productivity and expensive medical bills. To help prevent these injuries, employees must be provided adequate training before they travel.
Employees should be taught how to lift heavy objects safely, avoid trip hazards, and stay aware of their surroundings. In addition, they should be given a list of emergency contact numbers in case they are injured while on the job.
Have Insurance in Place
There are a few different ways to do this, but the most important thing is to have some kind of insurance in place. The first step is to check with your company’s human resources department to see if they have any recommendations.
Many companies have relationships with travel insurance providers and can offer group rates. You can search for travel insurance providers online if your company doesn’t have any recommendations. Be sure to read the reviews and compare prices before buying a policy. Once you’ve found a provider you’re happy with, purchase a policy that covers medical expenses and airfare home in an emergency. It’s also a good idea to get travel insurance, including trip cancellation and lost luggage coverage.
The most common medical expense covered should be that of dental problems. The change in food at the destination can lead to oral health issues. These issues can also result in tooth damage, impairing the mouth’s function along the way. In some cases, the insurance policy covers teeth cleaning, teeth extraction, or teeth replacement procedures. This will allow the employees to head to a dentist without financial worries and get the problem treated soon to avoid complications. They can focus on the job they are supposed to do during their official business trip.
Provide Employees With Safe Transportation
When an employee is injured while traveling for work, it’s crucial that they have access to safe transportation, so they can get the medical care they need. There are a few different options for providing this transportation, depending on the severity of the injury and the distance from the nearest medical facility.
For minor injuries, the employee may be able to drive themselves or take a cab. If the injury is more serious, however, it may be necessary to arrange for an ambulance or air ambulance. In some cases, it may also be necessary to provide transportation for the employee’s family members to be with them during their recovery.
Ensure That Employees Are Not Travelling Alone
Accidents can happen anywhere, at any time. That’s why it’s critical to have procedures in place to ensure that employees are not traveling alone when injured while on the job.
There are a few different ways to go about this. One option is to have a designated person responsible for checking in on employees traveling for work. This could be someone in the HR department or a designated safety coordinator. Another option is to use technology to stay connected with traveling employees. For example, you could use a GPS tracking system to keep track of their location and check in on them periodically.
No matter what approach you take, the important thing is that you have a plan to keep tabs on employees away from the office on business.
By following these tips, employers can help to reduce the risk of their employees being injured while traveling for work. However, it is essential to remember that accidents can still happen despite precautions. Therefore, it is always a good idea to have insurance in place to cover the costs of any medical treatment and lost wages that may be incurred.
