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Addressing the work and non-work-related physical capabilities of employees can optimize your workforce—and lower the cost of injury and illness.

Research shows that losing workers due to on-the-job injuries can result in significant disruptions and costs to your company as well as your employees and their families. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2.6 million on-the-job injuries¹ occur each year. And while not all were considered serious, more than one-third required time off work in order to recover.


Why are there so many workplace injuries?
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)² , here are the top reasons why there is a growing need for injury prevention programs.

• Automation of work activities. Technology, computers, and robotics are being integrated into our workplaces, often introducing new and different hazards.
• Greater workforce diversity. People from different backgrounds and cultures are working alongside each other, often speaking different languages and creating communication barriers in the process.
• An aging workforce. The rise of sedentary lifestyles means that some workers are at higher risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
• Increased temporary and contract employment. Traditional relationships between workers and employers are shifting, and changes in safety programs and policies will be required to ensure the safety of all workers at worksites.

Keeping employees moving, pain free
Our approach to injury prevention is rooted in behavior change and involves a people-based, proactive focus on work readiness and early intervention. We work as an extension of your safety teams by building trust and connections with participants.

On average, we have a 90% success rate across our book of business in avoiding MSK-related OSHA recordables.

Rooted in behavior change, our approach involves a high-touch, proactive focus on work readiness and early intervention to:

• Acclimate employees to worksite demands
• Reduce likelihood of medical escalation
• Expedite recovery when an injury occurs
• And ultimately: Prevent OSHA recordable incidence and associated costs

Making a difference
Another integral component is how we integrate with Safety and Occupational Health teams, while we create connections and build trust with participants to foster a community of health and safety.

At HealthFitness, we take a different approach to safety. As a fitness solutions company we know movement and we address more than just injury prevention—we address physical fitness and total wellbeing. Here’s how we helped three companies with a physical labor workforce improve health and safety on the job.

Auto manufacturing company
With one auto manufacturer, where we deliver IPT at several assembly plants, 98% of new hires who participated in work conditioning did not report an MSK incident in the first 90 days of employment.

From our experience, we know new hires are at the highest risk of sustaining an MSK, which ultimately impacts employee retention and attrition rates. Through a strategic approach of prevention, we see high success in avoiding OSHA recordable status of these individuals through work conditioning and line-side coaching.

Appliance manufacturing company
At an appliances manufacturer, our client reported a cost avoidance of $12,000-$25,000 per OSHA recordable case avoided. They shared this estimate with us based off of their previous years’ spend on OSHA recordable MSKs. If transparency to this data is important to you, through collaboration with you, we would be able to report on these figures specific to your population. Otherwise, we provide cost avoidance in our annual reports, using national averages from the BLS and OSHA.

Auto manufacturing company
Lastly, with a different auto manufacturer, 94% of participants at the assembly plant avoided OSHA recordable status due to our interventions. Through our proven solution that focuses on prevention and early reporting, you can anticipate similar results.

Learn more
Learn how we can help you reach your safety goals.

Sources:

1. Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses (bls.gov)
2. Occupational Safety and Health Administration