Avoiding injury claims as much as possible is an important strategy for small business owners. Not only can these costs add up and take away from the immediate profits, but managing the entire process of filling out insurance forms, verifying injuries, and working through the injured employee's post-accident problems can take away from general business.

Workers compensation is usually out of your control as a small business owner; depending on state requirements, most businesses are required to provide proof of insurance and coverage at all times. That being said, there are still ways you can curtail those costs. Here are just three key ways to take control:

1. Make sure safety is a top priority. Emphasize the importance of ‘safety first,' and make sure all employees are trained appropriately. No matter what department they may be working in, make sure that there have access to materials and resources that can help them in case of emergency. This might include information on how to operate the fire extinguishers, maps to fire exits, and other safety protocol.
2. Make sure you are using the right codes to classify the costs. These are usually done by your accountant, and there are over 600 different classifications available. You'll need to use an up-to-date classification book to make sure you have the right one.
3. Commit your company to following protocol. Set the standard and don't accept anything that doesn't meet your requirements. It's important that all employees learn how and why specific procedures are in place.
4. Don't misrepresent your employees when finding insurance rates. A lower risk classification won't help you get the right type of coverage you need, and you may be posted with fines if you get audited.
5. Contact OSHA for details. You can avoid many OSHA violation fines and issues simply be reviewing the website and making sure you are in compliance.

These are just five ways you can control workers compensation costs over time. Adhering to safety standards and guidelines will help your entire company avoid many hazards and violations in the long-term.