PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
A crucial part of managing construction projects is keeping workers safe
and ensuring they have access to timely and effective medical treatment
in case of an accident. These efforts are complicated when projects are
located in remote or sparsely populated areas, or when they cross
electrical distribution lines, highways, and pipelines. To help
contractors provide quality, cost-effective medical care for workers,
while helping to mitigate risk exposures, ESIS, Inc., -- a risk
management services company and member of ACE Group -- today released a
paper addressing these challenges and providing guidance. Additionally,
the paper underscores the merits of close coordination with medical
resources and experienced risk management specialists.
Managing
Workforce Medical Care for Remote and Cross-Country Projects was
co-authored by David Landrum, Vice President and ESIS National
Construction Practice Leader, and Rene Scott, ESIS Medical Impact
Manager.
“There is no substitute for preparation when it comes to ensuring the
safety and availability of medical care for workers on projects –
particularly when they are in remote or dangerous locations. Accidents
can happen in the blink of an eye, and even the slightest delay in
administering medical attention can mean the difference between life and
death,” observed Mr. Landrum. “Contractors should consider working with
risk management experts who have experience in developing medical
programs for the construction industry, handling the types of claims
these projects may entail, and have the capability to respond rapidly in
the event of catastrophic incidents.”
The key planning elements examined in the ESIS white paper include the
following:
-
An agreed-upon source of communication in the area, be it cell phones,
satellites, or radio transmissions, as access in remote areas may be
limited
-
Alternate medical resources in the area in case preferred network
providers are not available in the area of the project
-
Access via telephone or Internet to connect crews with medical
professionals who can provide guidance when projects do not have staff
on hand
-
A 24-hour medical help line staffed with registered nurses for both
triage and follow-up in the case of a catastrophic event
-
A dedicated call-in number to reach case managers and catastrophic
case management to assist injured employees and provide expert help to
claims representatives
Mr. Landrum continued, “Companies need to also consider the costs that
will be incurred in the event of an accident or catastrophe. Having a
thorough response plan in place can help reduce duplicative or
unnecessary diagnostic tests and procedures at hospitals following an
incident, thereby improving care and outcomes and possibly having a
positive impact on claims costs and enabling better management of
potential financial losses.”
According to the authors, a comprehensive response plan should take into
consideration that accidents resulting in severe or fatal injuries
require investigations. It may be necessary to bring in expert adjusters
and /or attorneys who are experienced in construction and can assist
with an on-site investigation. For incidents that may generate media
interest, companies may want access to public relations experts to work
with journalists and to protect the corporate reputations.
To read the full paper, please
click here.
ESIS®, Inc. (ESIS) is part of ACE Group, providing claim and
risk management services to a wide variety of commercial clients.
Insurance is provided by insurers within ACE Group. The material
presented in this communication is not intended to provide legal or
other expert advice. It is presented for informational use only. Readers
should consult legal counsel or other technical experts, as applicable,
to answer any specific questions they may have. For more information
about ESIS, please visit www.esis.com.
About ACE Group
ACE Group is one of the world’s largest multiline property and casualty
insurers. With operations in 54 countries, ACE provides commercial and
personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and
supplemental health insurance, reinsurance, and life insurance to a
diverse group of clients. ACE Limited, the parent company of ACE Group,
is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ACE) and is a component
of the S&P 500 index. Additional information can be found at www.acegroup.com,
or follow ACE on Twitter, https://twitter.com/ACEGroupNA.
ACE®, ACE logo®, and ACE insured® are
trademarks of ACE Limited.
Source: ACE Group