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Blog

Workers’ compensation waiting periods

What workers' compensation waiting periods are, what they mean for bringing employees back to work and how they differ between states.

Reporting injuries to OSHA and your workers' comp insurer — what's the difference?

You must report all workplace injuries to your workers’ compensation insurer, but in some cases you must also report injuries to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

How your workers’ compensation e-mod is calculated

Your e-mod is used to calculate your workers’ compensation premium that’s based on your workers’ compensation claims experience.

Four quick tips for safe snow shoveling this winter

Follow these four tips to reduce the risk of injuries while shoveling snow, so you can get back inside safely.

Easy way to avoid winter falls: Step down, not out.

Using the “Step down, not out” method when getting out of a vehicle or stepping off a curb forces you to stand up or step flat footed, eliminating the chances of slipping.

Iowa commissioner deems rotator cuff a ‘shoulder’ injury

Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Joseph Cortese determined that an injury to a muscle in the rotator cuff is considered a shoulder injury for the purpose of determining permanent partial disability benefits.

MN Supreme Court addresses workers’ compensation case

The Minnesota Supreme Court addressed the rights of intervenors in workers’ compensation proceedings in the August 12, 2020, decision of Koehnen v. Flagship Marine Company and Auto Owners Insurance Company.

Chemical safety tips for your employees

Keep employees safe by providing them training and personal protective equipment tailored to the specific chemicals they’re using.

SFM Foundation featured on KARE 11

SFM Foundation was featured on Kare11's "Communities that Kare" segment, showcasing the impact scholarships have made on families.

Do you have a plan for investigating work injuries?

You hope a work injury doesn’t occur, but if one does, use this four-point accident analysis plan to investigate.

The value in reporting minor work injuries

Reporting minor injuries helps create a record in case the injury becomes more severe. Incident-only claims won’t affect your premium.

Keeping employees safe and engaged while working from home

Amid the frenzied transition for many people to work from home, some important aspects of a healthy workplace may have taken a backseat, such as mental health considerations, communication practices, ergonomic adjustments and general safety preparations.

Streamlined phone reporting option available

In response to feedback from employers and workers, we’re offering a new option when you call the SFM Work Injury Hotline to report injuries.

A legal perspective on injuries while working from home

It can be challenging to determine whether an employee’s injury is considered work related, even in the typical work environment. Working from home can present unique workers’ compensation issues due to the inevitable mix of work-related and personal activities.

Ladder safety poster
Ladder safety resources

Falls from ladders continue to be a top cause of workplace injuries. Remind yourself and your employees about proper ladder safety with resources from SFM.

SFM rolls out online portal for injured workers

Injured workers covered by SFM now have 24/7 digital access to their claim information through SFM’s website through a new online portal.

Safe lifting techniques for preventing injury

Methods for safe lifting include: keep your head up, keep the load close, use a staggered stance, and remember "nose follows toes" to avoid twisting.

A manager talking to an employee on a warehouse floor
Why you have to stay vigilant on work injuries

Ideally, your employees will let you know if they are injured, but what if they don’t? You might still be legally required to report.

What happens when you choose the SFM Work Injury Hotline nurse option?

Reporting injuries through the SFM Work Injury Hotline provides injured employees the opportunity to speak with a nurse and get a treatment recommendation. Here's what to expect when you call.

Four reasons why reporting work injuries immediately helps you and your employees

Immediately reporting injuries improves medical care, accident investigation, contact with medical providers and communication with injured employees.

Star Tribune names SFM a Top Workplace for 2020

SFM ranked ninth among medium-sized employers in the Star Tribune's Top 150 Workplaces in Minnesota for 2020 based on anonymous surveys of employees.

Laptop and tablet ergonomics

Mobile devices like laptops, tablets and cell phones all pose ergonomic challenges, but here are ways to minimize the risk.

Research finds stress is bad for workers, bad for business

Research paints a picture of just how expensive work-related stress can be, both for workers’ health and for their employers.

Retirement presumption can affect workers’ comp benefits

Most Minnesota workers retire at 67, but employers may have to continue permanent total disability benefits if an employee continues working past the expected age.

Information for employers: Injuries while working from home

With more employees working from home due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak, many policyholders have turned to SFM for answers on liability questions concerning the home office. 

Cumulative injury coverage under workers' compensation

Some work injuries don’t occur at a specific time, but rather they are the result of a degenerative process that takes place over months or years.

Ergonomic and safety tips when working from home

Follow these guidelines to avoid pain and strain while working from home.

Even unpaid interns may be eligible for workers’ comp

If your organization offers internships, be aware that even unpaid interns could be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.

Standing desks and other alternative workstations come with both risks and benefits

Standing desks or sit/stand workstations are becoming an increasingly common option, but they come with their own risks and benefits for worker health and safety.

What employers need to know about concussions feature image
What employers need to know about concussions

Because the duration, symptoms, diagnostic testing and treatment in each case are so varied, concussions can be very complex and costly to treat.

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