Mental Health and Working from HomeAs social distancing brought on by COVID-19 has forced more of our workforce to use home-based workspaces, it’s natural for employees to feel some sense of isolation. Not only are workers concerned about their physical health and that of everyone around them, but many are also dealing with loneliness. It’s easy for the walls to close in on us, so to speak. But, we’re all in this together, and the beauty in the situation is that we can help each other. We’ve temporarily lost our normal routines—part of what makes us feel secure and grounded. So, it’s important to find a new groove! Encourage your employees to develop work habits that are a good fit for them. This will look different for everyone, but here are a few pointers that can help you and your staff stay mentally healthy.

• Stay on a schedule. Go to bed and get up at your usual time, get

dressed and do all of your normal pre-work prep. A routine can help you stay productive, which can help you feel more positive. This includes getting enough sleep.1, 2

• Have a dedicated workspace, if possible, and take breaks. This helps create healthy boundaries between work and personal time. Be sure to leave your workspace for lunch and other breaks, which allows you to mentally recharge.1, 2

• Take care of your body by exercising and eating well. Arming yourself with proper nutrition and physical activity is one of your best defenses against illness. You can feel confident knowing you’re proactive with your physical health, which helps with your mental outlook, as well. Remember that you can still go outside for fresh air while maintaining a safe distance from others. All of these things can help you focus once you’re back at your workstation.1, 2

• Incorporate deep-breathing and

meditation into your routine. Try it throughout the day during your breaks or before and after work. This can help you cope with stress.1

• Stay connected with colleagues. Take purposeful steps to create connections with your staff. Checking in with one another

COMP PRESSBROUGHT TO YOU BY SUMMIT, THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW WORKERS’ COMP®

summit’s 2020 | ISSUE 2

Overcoming Return-to-Work Challenges • Report Injuries Quickly • Top Three Claims in Food Service • Telemedicine for Injured Workers

S U M M I T H O L D I N G S . C O M [ 1 ]

COVID-19 claims informationGenerally, workers’ comp insurance applies to injury or disease that is caused or aggravated by the conditions of employment. Claims involving communicable disease are typically not considered compensable for employees who are at no greater risk than the general public. Of course, we will investigate and evaluate all claims that are submitted under the facts and circumstances involved in those claims. We encourage you to consult your HR and legal resources for help in understanding and responding to COVID-19 questions. For answers to common questions concerning COVID-19 and your workers’ compensation policy, please see our COVID-19 frequently asked questions at summitholdings.com.

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Visit our blog for more COVID-19 content Summit is updating our website blog frequently to address topics that have become front of mind as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. From industry-specific safety tips, to help with staying physically active while working from home, we’ve got you covered! Check out all of our blog content at summitholdings.com.

A Message from Carol Sipe: Navigating the New NormalBy Summit President and CEO, Carol Sipe

Let me start by saying how much I appreciate and admire your determination to keep your businesses operating in such a challenging environment. I think most of us can say we never anticipated having to steer our businesses through a storm quite like the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of you have found creative ways to manage your employees and continue to serve your customers—all while helping to protect the health of everyone you work with. Summit is committed to helping our policyholders through this time. We understand that although this pandemic is a shared experience worldwide, your business needs are individual. We’re working hard to

continue addressing your questions and concerns regarding your workers’ compensation policy. Safety and health are some of our greatest priorities right now, and we’re here to help you protect your workers. Whether you are a construction or manufacturing company, working to keep your employees safe through proper sanitation and social distancing, or a restaurant implementing new employee safety rules for curbside and delivery services—you are all faced with new responsibilities. As you continue to navigate these uncertain times, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. I hope you will contact your loss prevention

consultant if you need help with any new safety problems that have surfaced as a result of COVID-19. Our Back2work® coordinators are here, as well, to assist with your return-to-work needs. You can also find help by visiting our website, or by contacting your agent or Summit Customer Care at 1-800-282-7648. Thank you so much for your continued trust in Summit. Let’s all look forward to happier times just around the corner. Stay strong, and we’ll get through this together!

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We offer convenient, easy ways to report injuries 24/7—and we’re always working to make your online experience with us as simple as possible. Our revamped injury reporting tool allows you to report injuries with fewer pieces of information. For initial reporting, we only need the date of injury, policy number, name and contact number of the person reporting the injury, the injured workers’ first and last name and his or her work location.

In addition to potential cost savings, timely injury reporting helps ensure that everyone involved has all the information needed to provide injured workers with the best care possible. Of course, the more information we have, the better we’re able to manage the claim and facilitate medical treatment of injured workers. Still, it’s better to report an injury as soon as possible and provide any missing information later.

Find this updated feature by clicking Report an Injury on our home page, or under Employer Resources. A login is required. You can also call in injury reports to 1-800-762-7811 or fax to 863-667-1871. If you have questions, please contact Customer Care at 1-800-282-7648.

Report Injuries Quickly

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The Top Three Claims in Food Service(and How to Avoid Them)

(Videos provided through JER HR Group LLC, dba Training Network NOW, a Summit vendor)

We hope you’ve benefited from our series focusing on specific industries and how to prevent the most common injuries we see. Workers in food service, one of the more physically demanding industries that we insure, often are under pressure to keep up during busy periods, which can increase the chances of workplace accidents.4

While many restaurant managers are focused on COVID-19 precautions, it’s also important to talk routinely with staff about common injuries. We took a look at our policyholders’ claims, and the body parts most affected by injuries in food service were hands and fingers, knees and the lower back.4

HandsTo prevent cuts, punctures, scrapes and burns to the hands and fingers, make sure you’re following these safety practices:5, 6

• Require employees to wear personal protective equipment (PPE).• Use a knife only for its purpose, and always use the appropriate knife for

the job.• Let a falling knife fall—don’t attempt to catch it. • Avoid cutting with a knife while distracted. • Avoid spilling water or ice into hot oil or storing drinks by deep fryers.

(Deep fryers were the number one cause of burns.)

KneesSlips, trips and falls in the food service industry often result in knee injuries. Train your staff on these important safety measures to prevent accidents:7, 8

• Wipe up liquid and food spills immediately. • Wear comfortable, slip-resistant shoes.• Carry items at a height that keeps vision clear.• Use two-way doors with windows in high traffic areas to avoid collisions.• Keep aisles and passageways clear.

BackAs with many other lines of work, the

food service industry sees a lot of lower-back strains. A few simple tips can help protect your employees from injury:9

• Lift with your legs, not your back.• Avoid lifting and twisting. (Shift your feet, not your body.)• Bring a load as close to you as possible before lifting.• Lighten a heavy load or ask for help.• Always make sure a load is balanced before lifting.

For more information on these types of injuries and how to avoid them, visit our website at summitholdings.com and check out our blog archive. You also have access to an extensive library of online safety training videos and supplemental materials. You can request a login by emailing SafetyResource Request@summitholdings.com.

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Telemedicine Options for Injured Workers One of the biggest tech trends we’ve seen in workers’ comp in the past several years is telemedicine, which is medical care provided remotely by secure video conference. Some health-care providers in our network offer telemedicine for workers’ comp appointments, which can be a huge advantage to injured workers—especially now, when we’re all trying to decrease our exposure to viruses. With some doctor’s offices closed or rescheduling appointments during the pandemic, it may be more difficult to even get treated without this option. Telemedicine has a myriad of other benefits, as well. Injured workers have easier access to care, especially when an injury makes transportation difficult. Injured employees who live in rural or other remote areas can benefit from broader provider access. It can also reduce the paperwork and claim costs associated with travel expense reimbursement. Another benefit is that when an injured worker doesn’t have to leave work for an appointment, the employer doesn’t have to find someone to cover the shift. Telemedicine can be used for many follow-up, consultation and physical therapy appointments, and these visits are billed and processed the same as in-office visits. Most injuries still do require an initial in-person visit to establish a treatment plan. In some cases, triage can be done via telemedicine to determine if the injured worker needs to be seen in person. We’re working to update our Find a Medical Provider tool on our website to indicate which providers offer telemedicine. Insureds can also confirm by contacting their providers directly. Summit can work with any provider in our network who offers these services. If you would like for your injured employees to be able to participate in telemedicine appointments while at work, you will need to set up a private space, such as an empty office or conference room, with a secure internet connection. If you have questions about telemedicine, please call us at 1-800-282-7644.

throughout the day to say “hi” can help your team feel a sense of togetherness. Team texts, calls, emails and video conferencing tools work well to keep everyone in contact. Make sure your employees feel welcome to reach out for support, especially if they are anxious or depressed.1

• Work near a window, if possible.

Natural light can improve mood and increase productivity, so try not to situate yourself in a dark corner of the home.3

• Call your health-care provider if

stress interferes with your ability to function for several days in a row.1

You and your employees may need to experiment with different approaches. But stay committed to helping your staff take a holistic approach to self-care, and you will make it through these tough times—possibly stronger than before!

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The WCI Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference and Safety and Health Conference, previously scheduled for August 16–19 at the Orlando World Center Marriott, has been cancelled. The new dates are August 22–25, 2021. This conference is a comprehensive event that includes education on improving injury reduction and outcomes using best safety practices, tools and resources. We hope you’ll make arrangements to attend next year! For up-to-date conference information, please visit wci360.com/conference.

2020 WCI conference cancelled

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Overcoming Return-to-Work ChallengesAs committed as you may be to maintaining a safe workplace, you never know when an injury or illness will occur. Hopefully, you have a strong return-to-work program that serves your company well. If not, perhaps you’re feeling overwhelmed and don’t know how to get started. Or, maybe you got your program off the ground, but you keep hitting roadblocks. Here are some common challenges of return to work and ways to power through them. Getting support from leadershipObtaining leadership approval before starting a program may be your first hurdle. In an ideal world, you’ll have no trouble convincing them of the importance of return to work, but remember, they may have little to no experience with the workers’ comp process. You’ll want to emphasize the benefits of return to work, such as reducing claim costs—which can result in a lower premium and mod—maintaining productivity, avoiding legal costs, establishing better control and promoting employee morale. An analysis by the New York Department of Labor cites that employees recover from injuries three times faster when they’re back at work in a transitional role through a return-to-work program—and the claim costs are reduced by up to 70 percent.10

You want to get the decision-makers in your company in the right mindset. Help them understand that your return-to-work program is part of the workers’ comp process—it’s part of running your business.

Planning your programOnce you have leadership’s support, determine who at your business will be responsible for your return-to-work program. Review Summit’s Back2work®

program info on our website at summitholdings.com and follow the certification checklist. If you have questions or would like help tailoring your program to your business’s needs, email a Back2work coordinator at back2work@summitholdings.com. And don’t forget to educate your staff. If your employees understand return to work before an incident, they’ll be better prepared to navigate the process following an injury.

Finding transitional positionsAs you probably know, sometimes an injured worker is able to return to work in a light-duty, or transitional-duty, capacity before he or she fully recovers. This reduces lost wage (indemnity) costs—not to mention, it’s good for the employee’s mental health and physical healing to get back into a routine. It’s important to establish these positions before injuries occur.

Finding the right transitional jobs may require a little creativity. Refer to the lists of transitional duty ideas on our website to find some good options for your industry. If you’re still having trouble finding the right positions, we can offer suggestions.

We also work with a vendor that specializes in matching injured workers with the needs of a nonprofit organization. Contact a Back2work coordinator to find out more.

Keeping the process moving through communicationWorkplace injuries can be stressful. Your injured employees may be worried about how long their recovery will take or how they’ll get paid. They may also be nervous about adjusting to transitional work. Contact them frequently and remind them that their situations are temporary. Let them know you’re on the same team and that you’re available to answer any questions. Alleviating their fear can help them focus on the recovery process.

When a workplace injury is reported to Summit, your injured employees will receive a packet in the mail from the adjustor that provides answers to frequently asked questions and includes paperwork that’s necessary for us to process the claim. Encourage them to follow the instructions in the packet, as this helps ensure they get the care they need, and also urge them to keep their doctor appointments and stay in contact with you.

Finally, make sure injured workers know that you want them back at work—this reassurance can help them keep a positive attitude and stay focused on recovery. If a transitional duty offer is appropriate, provide it to your employee in writing, and be sure to adhere to any physical restrictions given by the doctor.

Summit is always here for support. Be sure to check out our Back2work brochure at summitholdings.com. If you have questions, please contact a Back2work coordinator at 1-800-282-7644.

COVID-19and return to work The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued return-to-work guidance in the event you have an employee who has missed work due to a positive COVID-19 test result or suspected exposure to the virus. Visit cdc.gov for the latest information for employers. Also, check out our blog on the impact of COVID-19 on return-to-work programs at summitholdings.com.

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The online programs and tools may not be available at all times. The information presented in this publication is intended to provide guidance and is not intended as a legal interpretation of any federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations applicable to your business. The loss prevention information provided is intended only to assist policyholders in the management of potential loss producing conditions involving their premises and/or operations based on generally accepted safe practices. In providing such information, Summit Consulting LLC does not warrant that all potential hazards or conditions have been evaluated or can be controlled. It is not intended as an offer to write insurance for such conditions or exposures. The liability of Summit Consulting LLC and its affiliated insurers is limited to the terms, limits and conditions of the insurance policies underwritten by any of them.

5/20 (20-056) ©2020 Summit Consulting LLC (DBA Summit, the people who know workers’ comp LLC) PO Box 988, Lakeland, FL 33802. All rights reserved.

References For references used in this newsletter, please visit our website at summitholdings.com. Select Employer Resources, and click on Workers’ Comp Basics. You will find references, as well as current and past issues of COMPpress.

Visit summitholdings.comThe following resources are at your fingertips:

• ONLINE SAFETY TRAINING VIDEOS (provided through JER HR Group LLC, dba Training Network NOW, a Summit vendor). Check out our Safety Resources section for these and other helpful resources for your business.

• POLICY SEARCH. Find your policy easily by entering your policy number in the search field at the top of our website.

• BLOG. Read valuable safety and Back2work® information, as well as workers’ comp industry news.

• MAKE A PAYMENT. You can pay your workers’ compensation premium from the Employer Resources section.

Contact UsCustomer Service: 1-800-282-7648

REPORT A WORKPLACE INJURY24 hours a day, 7 days a week by:

• CALLING 1-800-762-7811

• FAXING your report to 863-667-1871 or

• VISITING our website at summitholdings.com (login required)

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