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An important consideration to effectively reduce strain and sprain
injuries.
As seasoned safety and health professionals, we are all faced with the challenge
of reducing strain and sprain injuries (also referred to as soft tissue, musculoskeletal,
overexertion injuries, etc.). In fact, strains and sprains represent the highest
frequency of injury and the greatest portion of workers' compensation
costs for many companies. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, strain
and sprain injuries have accounted for over 40% of all the occupational injuries
reported each year. And, this has been the case for decades now. With all the
progress in the safety and health and ergonomics fields over the years, why
do so many companies struggle to make material and sustained reductions in
strain and sprain injuries?
Looking at the typical company, you will find nearly all have implemented
some form of ergonomics program or policy. The typical program may include
providing training to employees on ergonomics, body mechanics and safe lifting;
using an in-house ergonomist; and/or relying on an insurance company or consultant
for ergonomic expertise. Some companies may even perform physical abilities
testing on new hires; employ early diagnosis and pre treatment options; or
have an onsite occupational nurse or clinic. These steps are important and
in some cases necessary. And, many of the companies taking these measures have
seen reductions in their injuries. However, the reality is - strains and sprains
continue to occur. What is missing?
To answer these questions we must first look at body mechanics. The role body
mechanics plays with regard to strain and sprain injuries is well established.
How we use our bodies determines how much stress we put on them and where we
put that stress. Using your body in ways it was not designed or putting more
stress on your body than it can handle over the years leads to cumulative trauma
and increases the risk of strain and sprain injuries.
Moreover, because our exposure to cumulative trauma and risk for strain and
sprain injuries exists on and off the job, ergonomic efforts that focus on
the few tasks identified on the job site as "at risk" may only
address a small percentage of total exposure for your employees. The body mechanics
we use both on and off the job determine our risk of strain and sprain injuries.
If your habit is to bend, twist, reach, etc., that is the technique you use
on and off the job.
While sometimes dictated by the job task, we choose how we use our bodies
as we go through our day both on and off the job. We develop our habits based
on our experiences. Like you, your employees use their bodies and behave in
ways they believe are safe and practical. Unfortunately with cumulative trauma,
we often do not feel the damage we are doing to ourselves as we do it.
To answer the question regarding how we make material and sustained reductions
in strain and sprain injures, we must consider and address our employee's
belief system.
Ask yourself: Do most of your employees blame their working behaviors or techniques
for their risk of injury or how they feel everyday? Or, do they believe their
risk of injury, aches, and pains come with the territory because of the work
they do? Ask them and they will tell you. In surveying more than 50,000 employees,
the answer is consistently the same. It's the tools, equipment, job tasks,
working environment, working hours, the job itself, or aging that cause their
aches, pains and injuries. Worse yet, these beliefs have been reinforced over
their lifetime by their daily experiences. To get employees to change how they
use their bodies you must address their long held beliefs. But, it is not that
simple. You can't change your employees' beliefs - only they can.
This is why traditional approaches used to train employees on body mechanics
and ergonomics often fail. Research shows that traditional approaches to training
can be effective at increasing an employee's knowledge but are not effective
at changing their behavior. Why? Telling and showing employees facts and information
will not usually change their long held beliefs.
To get employees to change how they use their bodies you must help them find
it within themselves to change. When employees discover for themselves that
their behaviors and techniques determine how they feel and their risk for injury
then and only then will they open themselves up to the possibility of change.
More importantly, when employees can discover the solutions for themselves,
they are far more likely to enact long term change.
To accomplish this, start by exploring what your employees believe to be the
source of their aches, pains and potential for injury. Incorporate these findings
into your overall ergonomics program. Develop approaches in your training designed
to address and in some cases challenge these beliefs. The key is to get the
employee to see, feel, hear, and discover for themselves that their behaviors
dramatically affect how they feel every day and their risk of injury at home
and on the job. Then and only then will you see the types of reductions in
injuries you are looking to achieve.
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