The Unseen Price of Slip and Falls - Estimating Indirect Costs
Each year, employers pay almost $1 billion per week to cover the direct costs of workplace accidents1.
When it comes to lost-time workers’ compensation claims, slip and falls are the third most expensive injury ($48,575)2.
But direct costs aren’t the only costs your company must absorb.
What are the direct costs of a workplace injury?
Direct costs are easy to measure and directly attributable to an injury. In many cases, direct costs are covered by insurance policies.
They include:
• Workers’ compensation
• Medical expenses
• Legal fees
• Indemnity payments
What are the indirect costs of a workplace injury?
Indirect costs are tough to quantify, unbudgeted, and uninsurable.
They include:
• Wage costs related to time loss from work disruptions
• Lost productivity
• Time spent recruiting and training replacement employees
How do you estimate indirect costs?
The magnitude of indirect costs is inversely related to the seriousness of the injury3.
To determine your indirect costs, multiply your direct costs by the indirect cost ratio.

What if you could reduce your employee’s slip and falls by up to 80%?
That’s the promise of a safety footwear program. We partner with companies by providing slip-resistant, protective footwear to at-risk employees and manage their programs for them. Considering the direct and indirect costs of a workplace injury, it isn’t hard to see why over 150,000+ companies have partnered with Shoes For Crews.
Learn more about our Corporate Safety Shoe Program.
1 https://www.osha.gov/businesscase/costs
2 https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/work/costs/workers-compensation-costs/
3 https://www.osha.gov/safetypays/background
Employees and Your Bottom line.
Don't Forget To Share This Post!
Related Articles

The Key to Slip-Resistant Safety Shoes
Not all slip-resistant shoes for workers are equal. Find out how genuine slip-resistant footwear carries a high Coefficient of Friction (COF) score.
February 6, 2021

Workplace Safety 101: Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls
Preventing slips, trips, and falls is Workplace Safety 101 and of the utmost importance. SFC Safety explains how everyone can ensure a safe work environment.
February 6, 2021

How to Create an Accident Incident Rate Benchmark
How does your company stack up to the national injury incident rate averages? Learn how to calculate accident ratios to benchmark new safety guidelines.
February 6, 2021