5 Ways to Shift Your Injury Prevention Program from Reactive to Proactive

Workplace injuries cost companies billions of dollars a year in medical expenses, lost productivity, and administrative expenses. The financial (and morale) incentives to create a safe and healthy work environment drive employers to implement injury prevention programs every year. With the stakes so high, employers must move beyond the “fire extinguisher approach” of reacting to problems as they arise, to a proactive strategy built to identify underlying risk factors and address worker discomfort before they cause recordable injury.

This preventative approach to managing occupational health and safety relies on targeted musculoskeletal screening tools and early discomfort management programs. This blog looks at five important strategies to improve workplace health by focusing on ergonomic injury prevention and provides practical suggestions for implementing these strategies.

What is Musculoskeletal Screening?

Musculoskeletal screenings consist of a range of assessments used to establish a baseline of worker abilities and musculoskeletal health. This baseline provides data-driven insights into an employee’s range of motion, flexibility, strength, and stability, which can then be compared to job demands and used to identify any ability mismatches and areas of high ergonomic risk.

Screening can be accomplished through a combination of physical exams, functional movement tests, and technology aids, like the Briotix Health rapid evaluation Musculoskeletal Screening Tool.

The ultimate goal of these assessments is to identify potential areas of impairment, dysfunction, and discomfort for the worker in their workplace. By understanding where an employee’s abilities may be lacking, an injury prevention plan can be personalized to each individual’s needs. With these insights, safety managers, providers, physical therapists, and leadership can be proactive and targeted when developing strategies to manage worker discomfort and prevent ergonomic injuries.

1. Focus on Disability Prevention with Musculoskeletal Screening

Leveraging musculoskeletal screening tools allows organizations to be proactive and targeted in their injury prevention initiatives both on the individual worker level and across the organization. Shifting the focus from medical treatment to injury prevention allows employers to significantly reduce the frequency of MSDs within their workforce.

Practical Strategies for Success:

• Early Identification Protocols: Implement routine musculoskeletal screenings to identify potential musculoskeletal issues early. The early identification process will allow employers to provide baseline insights into employees' musculoskeletal health.
• Risk Assessment Training: Train supervisors and health professionals to perform workplace assessments to recognize risk before an injury occurs. During these assessments the individuals performing the assessment can also work with employees to recognize early signs of discomfort or injury, enabling timely intervention.
• Wellness Check-Ins: Set up regular wellness check-ins. Employees can discuss any physical discomfort or health concerns with athletic trainers or providers.

This preventive approach not only enhances employee health but also minimizes absenteeism and healthcare costs associated with reactive treatments.

2. Implement Employee Wellness Programs

Complementing musculoskeletal screenings with employee wellness programs is vital for cultivating a culture of health and safety in the workplace. Wellness initiatives encourage employees to prioritize their health and report any discomfort or early symptoms of MSDs promptly.

Practical Strategies for Success:

• Ergonomic Screenings: Conduct regular ergonomic screenings to identify and mitigate risks associated with specific job tasks. Provide tailored recommendations to employees based on these assessments. Revisiting job tasks every six months gives time to adapt and reveal potential problem areas.
• Fitness Activities: Introduce fitness programs that focus on strength, flexibility, and conditioning. Offer classes or workshops on proper lifting techniques and body mechanics to reduce injury risk and worker fatigue.
• Implement a Stretching Program: Not only will a stretching program proactively prevent work-related injuries, but these programs also improve overall employee health which reduces the likelihood of an employee getting injured outside of work as well. By keeping workers feeling their best, employers can see productivity improvements and reduced absenteeism.
• Stress Management Workshops: Offer resources and training on stress management techniques. Mental health impacts from stress can become a factor in discomfort and productivity loss. Read the blog Mental Health Benefits of Musculoskeletal Solutions in the Workplace for more on the behavioral health impacts.

By adding wellness to daily work routines, employers help employees act early. This empowers them to take steps to focus on well-being and health.

3. Develop a Prevention Plan

Effective musculoskeletal screening is essential to build a strategic and targeted industrial injury prevention plan. By using musculoskeletal screening tools, employers establish a baseline of worker abilities that can then be compared to job demands. This comparison highlights any ability mismatches and areas of high ergonomic risk. Prevention plans can then be developed to target those areas for a more strategic and effective approach to proactive injury prevention that keeps workers healthy and performing their best.

Practical Strategies for Success:

• Customized Prevention Plans: Develop tailored prevention strategies based on screening results. Address identified risks with targeted interventions, such as workstation adjustments, body mechanics review, or changes in workflow processes.
• Regular Review of Prevention Strategies: Schedule quarterly reviews of plans to assess effectiveness and make adjustments based on feedback and incident reports.
• Employee Involvement: Engage employees in the development of prevention plans, ensuring that their insights and experiences are considered in the process. Employee involvement is a common aspect of programs missed by employers. Engaging with the employees performing the work reduces the risk of errors when implementing changes.

A proactive approach ensures that interventions are focused on the specific demands of the job. This helps improve workplace safety and lowers the chances of musculoskeletal disorders.

4. Identify Areas of Optimization

To maximize the impact of musculoskeletal screenings, it is essential to identify and prioritize areas where employees’ capabilities do not meet the demands of the job. Conducting thorough assessments of workstations, equipment, and workflow processes provides valuable insights into potential risk factors contributing to MSDs.

Practical Strategies for Success:

• Comprehensive Workstation Evaluations: Perform detailed evaluations of workstations to identify ergonomic risks. Utilize findings to implement necessary adjustments that promote better posture and reduce the amount of force placed on employees.
• Workflow Analysis: Analyze workflow processes to identify repetitive motions or tasks that may lead to short-term or long-term injuries. Implement job rotation or task variation to reduce exposure to high-risk activities.
• Feedback Mechanisms: Establish a system for employees to provide feedback on workplace conditions and potential risks, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

When examining the workplace and the mismatches between employee capabilities and job demands, identify those areas where the potential for injury is greatest. Are employees moving heavy items from high shelves? Does a machine require a certain amount of force to stop or pause? Understanding the potential for risk and its impacts can help you prioritize the spaces and processes that require more urgent change.

This strategic approach not only improves workplace conditions but also supports long-term health outcomes for employees.

5. Educate Employees and Leadership

The successful implementation of proactive injury prevention strategies relies on comprehensive education for both employees and leadership. Clear communication regarding the purpose and benefits of screenings fosters understanding and buy-in from all stakeholders.

Practical Strategies for Success:

• Training Sessions: Conduct regular training sessions for employees on the importance of early reporting of discomfort for effective early discomfort management and the prevention of MSDs. Include training on proper body mechanics and ergonomic practices.
• Leadership Workshops: Organize workshops for leadership to educate them on the significance of musculoskeletal health and the role of ergonomic injury prevention in not only promoting employee well-being but also reducing the direct and indirect costs associated with employee discomfort and workplace injuries.
• Ongoing Communication: Maintain open lines of communication between employees and leadership regarding screening results and preventive measures. Share success stories and improvements resulting from the implementation of these strategies.

By fostering a culture of education and engagement, organizations can enhance participation in wellness initiatives and empower employees to report concerns promptly.

Benefits of Proactive Workplace Injury Management

By using a proactive framework for addressing musculoskeletal health in the workplace, organizations can create more effective injury prevention strategies that reduce the direct and indirect costs of workplace injuries and improve workplace health and productivity.

Implementing these strategies requires commitment and collaboration across all levels of the organization, ultimately driving sustainable improvements and setting a standard for industry-leading workplace health practices.

How Industrial Sports Medicine™ Helps

Briotix Health’s Industrial Sports Medicine™ solutions prevent and address employee discomfort with personalized ergonomic interventions and training. From early discomfort management to the creation and implementation of job-specific conditioning and stretching programs, we work to keep your workplace athletes healthy and productive.