Ergonomics
2023 Top Workplace Safety Trends
Briotix Health experts discuss the top workplace safety and ergonomic trends to consider for your work-related injury prevention programs in 2023.
Learn the benefits of work conditioning programs and the keys to successfully implementing one in your workplace.
Briotix Health recently hosted a webinar with two of our subject matter experts on workplace conditioning programs. If you’d like to watch the full recording, you can find it at the bottom of this blog! This blog recaps many of the major topics covered.
From preparing candidates for demanding work and facilitating return to work to promoting health and recovery, workplace conditioning programs are an incredible tool for workplace wellness. These programs, designed to target specific job-related tasks and movements, allow individuals to recover faster and do their jobs more efficiently.
What are Conditioning Programs?
Work conditioning programs offer numerous benefits, including facilitating employee return to work, promoting faster recovery, reducing re-injury risk, and improving overall job performance. By implementing these programs effectively, businesses can benefit from a healthier bottom line and a more productive workforce.
Work conditioning programs are widely varied in their application. In one-on-one cases, programs help transfer employees back into the workforce. When implemented across the workforce, conditioning programs can help prepare workers for the physical demands of their daily tasks to reduce the risk of injury.
Implementing a Conditioning Program
When implementing a work conditioning program, it is crucial to consider four aspects:
- Program Design and Implementation
- Participant Training and Education
- Participant Screening and Pre-Assessment
- Monitoring and Evaluation
Program Design and Implementation
Program design involves setting goals and key performance indicators with stakeholders to ensure focus and understanding of the program's purpose. It is essential to tailor the program to the specific work being completed by the workforce. For example, ensuring the program delivers exercises that focus on major muscle groups that need to be to be strengthened to safely complete a required daily task.
It is essential to tie programs to the job itself to gather data on what a job demands physically. A job analysis provides valuable information to the employer and is one way to begin implementing conditioning programs. A better understanding of what each position requires physically and cognitively lets you understand what candidates need to succeed.
Locations and application of programs, such as space, resources, equipment, and time allotted, should also be considered. The program may be in person, one-on-one, group setting, or virtual. Each method of implementation comes with upsides and downsides and should be tailored to your company.
Participant Training and Education
It is essential to provide participants with support to guide them, ensuring they are well-informed and engaged in your conditioning program. The focus of conditioning programs should be on training those skills identified for specific work tasks, while supporting general health tips like improved cardiovascular health, flexibility, and wellness.
Work simulations like lifting the standardized weights an employee could encounter, maintaining balance while moving with a package, or even standard stretches all have value in these programs.
Training portals or mobile apps, where participants can log in and view their specific program preloaded into their account, are a major bonus to modern conditioning programs. Activity logs, video guides, and progress trackers let both the employer and employees know how the training is progressing without fear of mistakes.
Participant Screening and Pre-Assessment
Before any program begins in earnest, baseline health screenings should be taken. Baseline screenings help assess physical fitness and identify any pre-existing conditions or injuries that need to be considered before starting the program. Comparing employee progress to the baseline data can be used to show progress and make informed decisions for program, and personal, improvement.
Learn more about the keys to Musculoskeletal Screenings, a source of baseline screenings, with our blog!
Monitoring and Evaluation
Key steps for monitoring include taking performance gauges using pre- and post-implementation data to show individualized and aggregate improvements. Monitor the impact on work performance by reviewing participants' ability to perform work-related tasks before, during, and after the program. Additionally, participant feedback is important, as it helps determine if the program is relevant to their specific work needs and if they feel a benefit from it.
| Work Adaptation |
| Work adaptation is an important aspect of any program. Though it is not directly conditioning, understanding what your workforce is capable of and modifying job tasks to more appropriately fit your workforce can be an important step. Working with participants on appropriate work adaptations, such as new processes or equipment, can help make your workplace more efficient. Set goals for yourself and your company as you begin implementing work conditioning programs. Whether those goals are increased productivity, reduced lost time, or improved employee satisfaction, it is important to have a target! |
Pre-Employment Work Conditioning
Briotix Health offers a range of conditioning programs tailored to meet the specific needs and goals of our clients. One such program is our pre-employment work conditioning program. The conditioning program allows candidates to participate in a voluntary self-guided strength program before taking employment tests, such as a post-offer employment test.
The pre-employment conditioning program is designed to prepare participants physically and mentally for the specific demands of their job roles. Through targeted exercises, job-specific simulations, and progressive training protocols, the program focuses on enhancing muscular strength, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, and overall functional capacity.
These programs are particularly valuable in industries where physical tasks are integral to job performance, such as manufacturing, construction, transportation/distribution, and public safety.
Return to Work Conditioning
Work conditioning programs are essential for ensuring the smooth transition of injured workers back into their roles. By gathering demands from various departments or job tasks, a program can be created that integrates conditioning into the return-to-work process.
Briotix Health's return-to-work condition program includes physical and cognitive assessments, personalized rehabilitation programs, and injury prevention strategies that ensure employees receive the necessary care and support needed to recover, return safely, and stay at work. These programs are tailored to the equipment an employee has access to whether that it is completed in the work environment, a gym, or a classroom.
Combining work conditioning with additional injury prevention opportunities is pivotal in reducing incidences and promoting health and wellness within the workforce. Integrating various strategies, programs, and resources into a cohesive program can effectively support the organization's efforts.
More about the Speakers
- Angela Berwick has been a Client Manager with Briotix Health for 5 years and has recently celebrated her 13th anniversary with the company. She is an Occupational Therapist by background and has worked in the industrial setting since graduating with her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2009. Her background includes injury prevention, ergonomics, testing services, and office health and wellness.
- Karlee Herbers is a Client Manager with Briotix Health and has been with the organization for 7.5 years. She is an Athletic Trainer by background and has assumed several other responsibilities in her time with the organization such as providing care as an Industrial Sports Medicine Professional, a Supervisor training and leading team members across the nation, and an Associate Client Manager, working closely with Angela on several client portfolios.