Every year, as businesses ramp up for the holiday season, seasonal hiring becomes essential. Retailers, warehouses, hospitality, delivery services, and manufacturing environments often bring on temporary workers to keep up with demand. While this surge in staffing helps operations run smoothly, it also introduces a heightened risk. Especially when it comes to workplace injuries.
At Arrow Mutual, we consistently see year-end trends that highlight the need for employers to proactively manage seasonal workforce safety. Understanding why these risks increase (and how to mitigate them) can make a measurable difference in preventing claims, protecting workers, and controlling workers’ compensation costs.
Why Injury Risk Increases During Seasonal Hiring
Workplace injury risk naturally rises when seasonal workers enter a fast-paced environment with limited experience and compressed training. Temporary hires often receive less thorough onboarding due to time constraints. This means they may not fully understand equipment operation, safety protocols, or hazard awareness. Added to this, the holiday rush brings increased pressure. Higher production volumes and more demanding work schedules create fatigue and distraction among all employees. Inexperienced workers may struggle to keep pace with seasoned staff, and communication gaps can emerge when teams blend. These factors combined create conditions where injuries are statistically more likely during the seasonal hiring period.
Common Seasonal Injuries We See in Workers’ Comp Claims
Seasonal workers typically experience higher rates of:
- Slips, trips, and falls (especially in winter conditions)
- Overexertion injuries, such as back or shoulder strains
- Repetitive motion injuries from packing, lifting, or stocking
- Cuts and bruises from handling inventory or equipment
- Material-handling injuries in warehouses or distribution centers
These trends highlight why seasonal workforce management must include intentional safety planning.
How Employers Can Reduce Injury Risk and Lower Claims
Employers can significantly reduce injury risk by taking a proactive, structured approach to seasonal workforce safety, even when onboarding windows are short. By providing clear, focused, safety training, temporary workers understand the essential procedures needed to work safely. Prioritizing effective communication, daily huddles, simple signage, or check-ins, ensures new hires know where to go. Pairing seasonal employees with experienced staff members can streamline learning, reinforce proper techniques, and build confidence. Employers should also review ergonomics and workstation setups to help prevent overexertion and repetitive motion injuries. Also adjusting schedules to reduce fatigue during long or unusual shifts. Finally, winter brings its own challenges, so preparing for ice, snow, and slippery surfaces with regular inspections and slip-resistant matting is key to preventing seasonal claim spikes.
Seasonal injuries can lead to:
- Higher claims frequency
- Increased reserves
- Rising premiums
- Downtime and lost productivity
- Long-term claim development if injuries worsen
Proactive safety measures not only protect employees: they make year-end financial sense.
We help policyholders identify risk areas early and build strong safety protocols for temporary and seasonal workforces. By reducing injuries, employers strengthen productivity, sustainability, and long-term cost predictability.
Building a Safer Seasonal Hiring Strategy
Seasonal staffing is essential for many businesses, but the risks don’t have to be inevitable. With intentional planning, clear communication, and the right training, employers can create a safer environment for all workers.
Arrow Mutual supports policyholders with resources, guidance, and safety best practices to lower risk throughout the busiest time of the year. A stronger safety culture now means fewer claims and a smoother start to the new year.