Reducing Work Related Injuries: A Corporate Ergonomic Intervention Model

Each year thousands of employees are injured on the job costing companies hundreds of thousands of dollars and significant loss of work time. An ergonomics intervention program provided by a certified Ergonomics Specialist has been shown to decrease workers’ compensation claims; limit incidences of fatigue and injury; improve physical health and recovery from stressful job tasks;   improve hand-eye coordination for complex work procedures; and alert employees on how to limit their exposure to environmental stressors.

In a 2003 National Athletic Trainers Association survey of safety managers who employed Ergonomics Intervention Specialists, 100% of these respondents reported that these specialists provide a favorable return on investment.  James E.  Marotz, DO, corporate medical director for Appleton Papers, Appleton, WI states “Our company has had a certified Athletic Trainer/Ergonomics specialist since 2000 and since that time we have recognized a tremendous upside in the tangible and intangible benefits of this addition including a savings of more than $245,000 in just 2002 alone in health care costs related to low back pain, and 62% for costs to the upper extremity.  Additionally, our ‘away from work’ has decreased by 60% in the last three years”. Other results from this survey indicated the following:

• 50% of companies reported the number of injuries decreased by at least 50%;
• 68% of the companies indicated the Ergonomics Specialist helped decrease restricted  work-days and workers’ compensation claims for musculoskeletal disorders by more than 25%;
• Overall workers’ compensation claims also decreased with 75% of the companies reporting, according to OSHA logs, workers’ compensation premiums and internal cost analysis;
• 30% of companies reported a return of at least $7 for every $1 invested;
• Companies that utilize Ergonomics Specialists as on-site rehabilitation providers reported a 50% reduction in overall health costs.

WHAT IS ERGONOMICS TRAINING

The terms ergonomics and human factors have been used interchangeably. Ergonomics traditionally refers to the physical limits of the individual, how the work place design affects the person and the biomechanics of the work environment.  It includes one’s physiological response to the physical workload (e.g. heat, noise, lighting, vibration).   Human factors engineering focus on how people interact with equipment, job demands, environment and work stations. In both cases, the effort is directed toward improving worker efficiency and effectiveness while easing worker strain patterns.

HOW DOES ERGONOMICS TRAINING AFFECT EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE

Every day employees perform tasks, repetitive movements and engage in awkward positions that may compromise their physical bodies and increase the risk of injury. When these injuries occur they may affect connective tissues, nerves, blood vessels, bones, or a combination of these. One of the critical steps in an ergonomics intervention program is to make sure the body is properly prepared for the work at hand.  This can include performing proper stretches at work, at home and especially when performing prolonged forceful tasks. This critical stretching and movement preparation phase of activity, increases flexibility and balance; reduces muscle tension and fatigue; promotes circulation improves coordination; reduces musculoskeletal injury and maintains elasticity in the connective tissues.  Ergonomics specialists usually conduct job-site analysis to evaluate particular job tasks in order to recommend safe work practices. This includes, for instance, encouraging the employee to engage in correct stretching, body- mechanic applications and lifting procedures designed to prepare them for their particular work demands.

THE BACKGROUND OF ERGONOMIC INTERVENTION SPECIALISTS

Ergonomics intervention is usually provided by body-mechanic specialists such as Athletic Trainers and Ergonomics Intervention Specialists. Their aim is to enable manufacturing, industrial and other occupational businesses requiring physical involvement of the employee, to structure the work environment so as to minimize injury, and prevent physical stress and accidents. In addition, these specialists conduct rehabilitation of job related injuries, and suggest suitable work conditions that allow employees to perform optimally and efficiently on the job. These interventions enable employees to return to work as quickly and safely as possible and reduce an employer’s workers’ compensation output. Industrial manufacturing companies would benefit from having accessibility to this specialty field of professionals.