Business leaders often make the mistake of dismissing human capital as an expense rather than a renewable resource. A healthy and ready workforce is an undeniable asset that’s critical to operational success and is well worth the investment and resources required to maintain it.
Our programs are led by medical professionals—primarily industrial athletic trainers—who are embedded on-site to create opportunities for proactive engagement with employees. One question we often hear is, “Why not directly contract an individual AT to support our employees?”
This year, workers will be facing complex challenges with new variables that give rise to workplace injuries and cumulative physical stress. You may have noticed a great deal of reporting between 2020-2021 on “The Great Resignation” phenomenon, which was caused from pandemic-related decrease in production and opportunities for remote work in various fields. On the heels of this, we also saw marked increases in inflation along with a ripe job market. This created an opportunity for workforces to be highly selective regarding their employer and flexibility to move employer to employer.
One of the most commonly performed tasks in the utilities industry is fastening a bucket cover. Bucket cover wear and tear— which is caused by exposure to harsh elements such as rain, wind, snow, ice, and extreme temperatures—requires the user to exert more effort in applying or removing the bucket cover. If the bucket cover is already difficult to use under “normal” conditions, then these problems will be amplified when the cover begins to deteriorate as a result of this wear and tear.
While fastening a bucket cover isn’t an inherently repetitive task in that it’s typically only performed once a day, a wide range of employees will complete this job task every day so if this is an area of risk or concern, it can have a negative impact on employee safety and injury rates. Because utility work is performed outside in the elements, the existing risk of slips, trips and falls may be compounded by the same environmental conditions that cause wear and tear to the bucket covers.
To the casual observer, athletic trainers are just the people who run onto the field after an athlete gets injured. Few may be aware of the fact that even in organized sports, an athletic trainer’s job continues throughout the rest of the week, both on and off the field, in order to ensure the well-being and safety of each team member. Much like professional athletes, industrial workers stand to benefit greatly from the help and expertise of workplace athletic trainers.
In 2020, businesses across the US responded to the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic by enhancing their plans for infection preparedness and response, protecting essential employees, and reducing disruption to operations. As we move forward into this new year and continue adjusting to the new normal, it is critical to ensure injury prevention and well-being initiatives remain a priority—especially in times of uncertainty.
With 2020 coming to an end, many of us look to replace our old work boots with shoes that have foot arch support or at least give our feet some rest over the holiday season. The following BIOKINETIX guide on the kinetic chain and proper care provides some helpful tips to keep your feet feeling […]
There is certainly truth to the phrase, “sitting is the new smoking”. Millions of employees spend the majority of their work day in a seated position, whether it be in a vehicle or at a desk. The problem is that our bodies are built to be upright. The quadriceps, gluteals, hamstrings, low back muscles, and pelvic stabilizers all function to help us move and support our own weight. When these muscle groups aren’t being activated, this can lead to muscular asymmetry and improper posture, causing soreness or discomfort to the low back.
The current global pandemic has presented safety professionals around the world with a unique set of challenges. While there seems to be an abundance of resources out there concerning ergonomics for a remote workforce, it’s important—now more than ever— not to overlook all the other aspects of Total Worker Health, such as emotional well-being and physical activity levels. A sudden shift in work environment tends to feel disruptive, and for many employees, this might mean having to restructure a daily routine that may have been the same for years up until this point.
Overexertion ranks first among leading causes of work-related injury. What kind of steps can employers take to address such risks before it’s too late? We’ve distilled crucial insights—from scientific research to real-time observations out in the field—into 5 key practices for work injury prevention programs you can use to better protect your employees and improve musculoskeletal health.