When a contractor gets injured on the job, what happens next? With most injury case management solutions, what’s next are costly delays, compliance risks, and possibly even legal troubles.
25+ years in injury case management has given us a unique insight into the industry landscape: contractor injuries are a common pain point. In fact, this blog was inspired by a recent client who transitioned to us from Gallagher Bassett’s PC 365. This client relied heavily on contractors, yet their insurance carrier—handling injuries through nurse triage—only covered direct employees, leaving a critical gap in coverage.
Sadly, this is the norm amongst the big players in injury case management. Most programs are directly tied to insurance carriers and focus only on direct employees.
For safety leaders looking for a consistent, company-wide injury management approach, Axiom is the answer. We’ve redefined what comprehensive injury case management looks like. We wanted to see proactive medical services provided to workers across the board, regardless of their status as full-time or contract.
Why Contractors Need Injury Case Management Too
Many industries rely heavily on contractor labor forces. In high-risk industries like construction, oil & gas, transportation, and warehousing, contractor injuries are not only common but often more severe than those affecting direct employees. Without a consistent injury management approach, contractors face danger:
- Nearly 1 in 5 workplace fatalities in 2022 occurred in the construction industry, where contractors make up a large portion of the workforce. (BLS)
- Nonfatal workplace injury rates in warehousing and transportation continue to be higher than the national average, leading to delays, compliance issues, and increased costs.
- In industries like oil & gas, the risks are compounded by remote worksites and hazardous environments, making immediate injury management essential for both employees and contractors.
Without a consistent injury management approach, these contractors’ companies face danger too:
- Compliance Violations: OSHA’s reporting and tracking requirements don’t just apply to direct employees. Incidents involving contractors must also meet regulatory standards, yet many existing injury management systems fail to address this.
- Legal Risks: Lacking a robust injury management system for contractors can expose businesses to lawsuits or fines, especially if contractors do not receive appropriate care or if incidents are mishandled.
- Financial Implications: Prolonged recovery times, inefficiencies in care, and untracked incidents can lead to increased costs tied to injuries.
- Reputational Damage: A fractured approach to safety and injury management can leave a business’s commitment to health and safety open to scrutiny from contractors and clients alike.
And the larger the organization gets, the more amplified these risks are. A holistic approach to workplace safety is worth the extra effort.
Axiom in Action: Extending Injury Case Management to Contractors
At Axiom Medical, inclusivity for both direct hires and contractors defines our injury management framework. Here’s why our approach works:
24/7 Immediate Care Access:
- Injury case managers are available around the clock to ensure swift intervention within minutes, not hours.
- Rapid response is provided for both direct employees and contractors, regardless of location—corporate offices or remote sites like oil rigs.
Expert Nurse Case Management:
- Highly trained nurses specialize in triage and early intervention to quickly assess incidents.
- Prevents minor injuries from escalating and ensures timely medical referrals, reducing downtime and time away from work.
Streamlined OSHA Compliance:
- Centralized reporting tools help manage OSHA compliance efficiently for both employees and large contractor teams.
- Real-time tracking ensures cases are logged and addressed to meet OSHA standards, simplifying audits and mitigating risks.
Consistent and Predictable Care:
- A single system for employees and contractors delivers personalized support throughout the recovery process.
- Coordination with care providers and follow-up ensures quicker, more complete recoveries, reducing prolonged absenteeism.
The Importance of a Unified Safety Culture
When all workers know that they are supported, it makes them feel valued and builds trust. It also reinforces the importance of safety across the organization. Because when it comes to quality injury case management, nothing (and no one) should fall through the cracks.
Ready to create a safer, more compliant workplace for all your organization’s workers? Contact Axiom Medical today to learn how our comprehensive injury case management solutions can transform your approach to workforce safety.
Cain Boney is a contributor to Axiom Medical’s blog. With a career dedicated to writing about the workplace, Cain focuses on how employee well-being affects organizational success and sustainability in the long term.