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.
Stretching programs are often thought of as a “quick fix” to address increased rates of soft-tissue injuries. While pre-shift preparation continues to be an important component of a comprehensive safety program, there are better ways to make those few minutes more valuable to the employee and to the company. Based on our 15 years of helping companies develop best practices, here are four key principles we’d suggest considering—whether you’re looking to implement a pre-shift stretching program, or enhance an existing one:
As one of the most significant public health challenges of our time, preventable health conditions continue to drive unprecedentedly high rates of injuries, missed work days, and premature deaths—yet the CDC reports that Americans are only using preventive services at about half the recommended rate. Why are these services not being utilized? The problem is often […]
At BIOKINETIX, our goal is to help businesses show their commitment to safety. The creators of both OSHA’s Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs and NSC’s Journey to Safety Excellence have identified 3 key components that are essential to the success of any occupational safety program: Management leadership Worker participation A systematic approach to […]
Managing obesity among the working population has remained a pressing issue for employers. The relationship between obesity, work, and health status is complex. In addition to direct health risks such as type II diabetes, heart disease, and osteoarthritis, obesity exacts far-reaching consequences on an occupational level with increasing medical expenditures, lost time, and presenteeism.
Each year, May is recognized as National Arthritis Awareness Month. Arthritis has remained the leading cause of disability in the nation for a number of years—over 50 million adults are currently diagnosed, and this number is expected to grow to 67 million by the year 2030. Given the prevalence of this disease and its impact on quality of life, it is now more important than ever to promote awareness of the role of exercise in mitigating arthritis symptoms.
The theme of this year’s National Athletic Training Month is Compassionate Care For All, and we’d like to recognize our dedicated ATs who work hard to improve the safety and well-being of workers across the nation.