A lost time injury (LTI) occurs when an employee misses at least one workday due to a workplace incident. Preventing LTIs requires training in safety procedures and use of personal protective equipment. It also involves equipment usage and job-specific practices. Training includes safe lifting, hazard identification, risk assessment, emergency response, and near-miss reporting. Legal requirements for reporting LTIs vary by location, but most jurisdictions mandate reporting injuries that result in lost work time. Non-compliance can lead to fines and legal consequences.

Types of Lost Time Injuries 

The types of injuries resulting in lost time are outlined below, with detailed explanations. Recovery from such injuries can be lengthy and complex, leading to operational downtime.

Injuries from Machinery: Machinery-related injuries are a significant cause of lost-time incidents (LTIs) in manufacturing and construction. These incidents often lead to cuts, crush injuries, and entanglements. For instance, a worker can get their hand caught in equipment. Regular machinery maintenance and safety safeguards are crucial to reducing these risks. Vehicle-related injuries are also prevalent in trucking and construction, posing serious injury and fatality risks.

Falls and Slips: Falls and slips cause many injuries annually, especially in construction, warehousing, and manufacturing.

Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs): Repetitive tasks or awkward postures often lead to injuries in assembly lines, offices, and manual labour. Conditions like chronic back pain can develop over time.

Risks of Handling Hazardous Materials: Employees in manufacturing, healthcare, and construction often handle hazardous materials, which can cause health issues. To protect workers, it’s crucial to ensure the use of protective equipment, proper ventilation, and adherence to safety protocols. 

Important Metrics of LTIs 

The Lost Time Incident Rate (LTIR) and the Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) are two key metrics. They measure Lost Time Incidents (LTIs). These metrics track LTIs per hour worked, helping evaluate safety practices and compare performance to industry standards. Employers have legal obligations to report LTIs accurately. Wrong classification or under-reporting can lead to legal issues. These actions also result in missed opportunities for improving safety, putting employees at risk.

Note: This is the first of three blog posts about a summarised account of lost time injuries (LTIs). The subsequent posts will focus on the impacts of LTIs and strategies to prevent them.

by

Joji Parambath

Fluidsys Training Centre Pvt Ltd

Bangalore

(+91) 7338385505

info@fluidsys.in

https://fluidsys.in