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By: Kurt Bodziony, MS
CIE, Senior Loss Prevention Consultant, Ergonomic Specialist
In 2004 the American Society of Safety Engineers
presented an article that stated an aging and out of shape workforce
has become a key driver of high workers compensation and health care
costs. American Businesses spent $500 billion dollars on health care
and workers compensation costs mainly due to illnesses that are a
direct result of unhealthy lifestyle choices, i.e. smoking, lack of
exercise, poor nutrition. Coupled with the fact that:
80%
of the population will suffer back pain before the age of 55.
75%
of people do not exercise enough to maintain basic health.
60%
of people are considered overweight.
52%
of the workforce is over 50 years old.
What does this mean? Today’s workforce is out of shape,
overweight, older, and symptomatic. Poor eating, smoking, lack of
general fitness and being overweight are not typical risk factors an
Ergonomist looks for during a site visit observing workers, but they
should be. A successful
ergonomics program has to consider both parts of the equation; the design
of the job combined with the person
doing the job. Soft tissue injuries (also known as Muscular Skeletal
Disorders, MSD’s) associated with the back, neck, shoulders,
hands, and knees account for up to half of all workers compensation
cost, yet general employee health and fitness levels are rarely
mentioned as part of a company’s safety and injury prevention
program.
The Stretch For Safety (SFS) program is viewed as one
facet of wellness that Beacon Mutual decided to provide to
policyholders because it can help minimize MSD’s, as well as
introduce health and wellness programs into the workplace. In 2004 a
year long study was conducted using 30 companies to pilot the
program. Between 1999-2003 these companies averaged 45 MSD’s per
year with a total incurred average per year of $350,000.
The study consisted of 15 companies taking part in the
daily SFS program, and 15 companies serving as the control group.
The SFS group improved their flexibility over the course of one year
by an average of 40%, while the control group actually averaged a
10% decrease in flexibility. At the same time the injury rate from
MSD’s decreased to 22, with total incurred losses of only $36,000.
The first phase of the program is an employee baseline
flexibility test. Low back and hamstring flexibility are measured
using a standard sit and reach test. This measurement provides an
objective flexibility baseline for each employee. Exercise leaders
are appointed and are responsible for conducting the daily five
minute stretch routine with their co-workers. There are three
routines overall that are introduced every four months. The routines
are similar with the number of stretches and time required for each.
They require no equipment or lying down on the floor. At three, six,
and twelve month intervals employee flexibility is re-tested.
The SFS program has been introduced to over 150
policyholders within a variety of occupations and industries
throughout Rhode Island. Success stories include a large
shipbuilding company who averaged 69 MSD’s totaling $525,285.00 in
losses for two years. After one full year participating in the SFS
program, the number of soft tissue injuries dropped down to 13, for
a total incurred of $81,000. The most recent success story has come
from a Foundry that has heavy material handling exposures and a
strong history of soft tissue injuries. Over a two year period the
company had 19 MSD’s for a total incurred of $449,500. After
implementing the SFS program in 2008, the company has since gone 17
months without an MSD!
The feedback from companies in this program has been
overwhelmingly positive on two fronts. The first positive impact observed involves the reduction of
MSD injuries and associated costs. The second, organizations have seen a decrease in
absenteeism, tardiness, and improved morale are added benefits that
have been reported by management, as well as engaging employees and
bringing out leadership skills. Companies have also used the program
as the foundation of their wellness initiative and launched services
such as weight loss, smoking cessation, and walking clubs.
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