New to the job? You are at risk

The most dangerous time on the job is when you are new at it.

According to a report by insurance provider The Travelers, a newbie on the job is at higher risk during the first year.

Travelers studied 1.5 million workers’ compensation claims between 2015 and 2019 in various businesses and industries. Among the findings: Age and industry experience don’t matter as much as being newly hired.

More than 35 percent of all injuries happen to workers hired in the first year.

The study’s findings suggest first-year workers should be aware that:

• It takes some time to pace yourself on a job. The most common cause of new worker injuries was overexertion at 27 percent.
• It’s important for new workers to get the lay of the work landscape. The most common injuries for new hires are trips and falls. About 22 percent of all injuries fall into this category, suggesting that lack of familiarity with work surroundings could be an issue.
• They should develop an awareness of the people and equipment around them. About 14 percent of injuries to new hires were struck-by incidents

According to experts at Travelers, the study emphasizes the need for safety, training, and onboarding programs for new workers.

Restaurants, construction, and services had the most claims by first-year workers, accounting for 47 to 52 percent of the total claims in those industries.