1. Monthly Safety Spotlight, October 2009
PERSONAL RISK MANAGEMENT
Reality Check: The Real Cost 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, financial
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
Think Safe. Act Safe. Be Safe.

2. The Real Impacts of Workplace Incidents
Time elapsed: 1 week
Impact on Individual
Impact on University
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
Think Safe. Act Safe. Be Safe.

3. The Real Impacts of Workplace Incidents
Time elapsed: 1 year
Impact on Individual
Impact on University
Discomfort, pain
Medication, physical therapy, rehabilitation
Inability to participate in and contribute to the community
Negative impacts on personal relationships
Inability to continue in chosen career
Loss of self-esteem
Loss of connection with co-workers and career networks
Trying 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 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
Think Safe. Act Safe. Be Safe.