February 2021

Still working from home? Time to give your employees an ergonomics refresher

Half of Colorado companies have employees working from home at least half the time due to COVID-19. This remote work can be a pain in the neck — literally. Nearly a year into the pandemic, chiropractors nationwide have reported a surge in injuries related to telecommuting.

Many employees lack formal workstations in their homes. Too many hours spent working while lying on a bed or lounging in unsupportive chairs can lead to neck, back, wrist and shoulder pain. Even those with workstations may not have optimized them to avoid strains and pains.

January 2021

OSHA Recordkeeping Updates in the Age of COVID-19

Most employers are required to keep records of work-related injuries and illnesses.  As you might expect, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic raised questions related to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recordkeeping guidelines.  The agency recently clarified the employer requirements related to COVID-19, following confusion over reporting and recordkeeping guidelines from April and May 2020 that provided a bit of leeway on enforcement.

December 2020

Stay safe this winter: A guide to avoiding slip, trip and fall injuries and other hazards

Winter weather brings more than rosy cheeks and songs about reindeer.  During the winter, Pinnacol sees a spike in workers’ compensation claims.

For the past few years, we have received the most worker injury claims on Jan. 9, with an average of almost 200 workers across Colorado getting injured on this day. Many of the claims stem from slip, trip and fall injuries caused by snow or ice.

November 2020

Feeling stressed? You’re not alone! 8 ways to address your stress during the holidays and beyond

Stress (did you buy the right gift or make enough stuffing?) often accompanies the many joys of the holiday season. This year, that holiday stress collides with our feelings of anxiety about what’s happening in 2020.

The pandemic has sparked feelings of isolation and depression as people worry about their health, their loved ones and their finances. One study found that Colorado residents were nine times more likely to experience poor mental health compared to before the pandemic.

October 2020

A New Kind of Flu Season

Remember all the talk of “flattening the curve” last spring? People stayed home to slow the spread of COVID-19, and in Colorado the preventive measures seemed to work.

Now Colorado businesses can help keep that curve flattened, this time by encouraging their employees to get a flu shot. The vaccine protects people against developing the flu, which is particularly important this year as COVID-19 and flu season intersect for the first time.

September 2020

The aging workforce: Protecting older workers in the age of COVID-19

People age 65 and over represent the fastest-growing workforce segment from 2014 to 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which projects their employment will surge by more than 50%. Colorado’s over-65 population is growing in size faster than in all but two other states.

August 2020

Everything you need to prepare for an OSHA Investigation

Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigations monitor how businesses manage everyday risks for their workers.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted risk management as a priority for many businesses. No matter what their industry, employers are evaluating workplace safety protocol and becoming more proactive about improving it.

July 2020

Masks and heat stress: Know the signs to reduce employees’ risks

It has already been an unusually hot summer in Colorado, with temperatures soaring above usual highs. The blazing weather arrives as employers implement protocols to slow the spread of COVID-19, such as wearing masks.

June 2020

Why Your Hazard Communication Program Needs Attention During the COVID-19 Pandemic

For many Colorado businesses, now is the right time to update their hazard communication program to ensure compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200.   The standard requires employers with hazardous chemicals in their workplaces to label all containers, obtain safety data sheets (SDSs) and train exposed workers to handle the chemicals appropriately.

April 2020

Supporting Colorado through the COVID-19 crisis

Pinnacol Assurance has been protecting Colorado businesses and their employees,  through good times and bad, for more than 100 years.  In our recent history, we’ve never seen anything like the impact of COVID-19, but our community has been through other crisis,  and we’ll get through this one too.   Here’s what we are doing to support our customers:

March 2020

Daylight saving time and worker safety

At 2 a.m. on March 8, daylight saving time begins here in Colorado. Too many workers will show up yawning and with eyes at half-mast. As in past years, a real concern will be the increased risk of workplace injuries.
Consider this: A government study of injury data in the U.S. mining industry from 1983 to 2006 found that more injuries happened on the Monday after DST began, and those injuries were more severe.