Monthly Safety Spotlight, October 2009 Reality Check: Coping with the Real Costs of Workplace Injury Workplace injuries and illnesses trigger a domino effect of consequences that radiate outward from the individual employee. Even seemingly minor incidents can cause a shadow of negative effects that touch the employee’s family and friends, co-workers, campus and community. PERSONAL: What is the physical and emotional cost to the employee and his or her family Physical, emotional, social, fiscal FINANCIAL: What are the sometimes hidden effects on the fiscal health of the department, the UC Davis campus and the UC system as a whole? Less funding for vital research and academic programs Effects on reputation as an employer of choice Personal Risk Management Think Safe. Act Safe. Be Safe. Page 1

Monthly Safety Spotlight, October 2009 Discomfort, pain Medication and side effects Stress, embarrassment Inability to participate in normal activities Family alarmed and upset Research/project interrupted Disconnected from co-workers Trying to cope with documentation requirements Out of pocket medical expenses Disruption in department Research/project interrupted Extensive documentation Scramble to cover workload Co-workers take on extra work Department pays (figure) for initial medical costs Time elapsed: 1 week Impact on Individual Impact on University Think Safe. Act Safe. Be Safe. Page 2

Monthly Safety Spotlight, October 2009 Discomfort, pain Medication, physical therapy, rehabilitation Inability to contribute in his/her community Negative impacts on personal relationships Inability to continue in chosen career Loss of self-esteem Loss of connection to co-workers and career networks Continuing to cope with ongoing documentation demands Additional out of pocket medical expenses Disruption in department Continued setbacks in research or project Continued documentation demands Department unable to meet its commitments to other departments Negative impacts on co-workers assuming added workload Expenses for added hours or contractor help to backfill workload Resources spent arranging for alternative work for injured employee Department budget hit with injury allocation UC pays more for insurance Possible regulatory penalties Time elapsed: 1 year Impact on Individual Impact on University Think Safe. Act Safe. Be Safe. Page 3