BIOKINETIX Blog

Mar 21 Comments Off

Proactive Intervention, Part II: Stop the Injury Cycle

Posted by Jon F. Kabance, RKT

A three-part series on proactive intervention by BIOKINETIX

In Part I, we addressed why it’s important to help injured employees recover without interrupting the healing process.

The traditional return-to-work approach has often failed American workers, and the problem of recurrent injuries is just one example. After analyzing workers’ compensation data over a 3-year period, Liberty Mutual researchers found that a disproportionate amount of low back injuries were recurrent. Compared to those who had only been injured once, employees with recurrent injuries took longer to recover, accumulated significantly higher medical and indemnity costs, and were considered by study authors to be “an especially important target for secondary prevention efforts” [4]. Recurrent injuries can be prevented entirely by making sure employees recover properly the first time—so why are they still so common?

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Mar 21 Comments Off

Proactive Intervention, Part I: Rethink Recovery

Posted by Jon F. Kabance, RKT

A three-part series on proactive intervention by BIOKINETIX

The aftermath of an occupational injury can be predictably arduous and time-consuming for all parties involved. Regardless of severity level, it is in the interest of both employer and employee to ensure they recover properly and resume their job tasks. But many return-to-work programs are stuck in a reactive cycle of poor recovery, recurrent injuries, and accumulating workers’ compensation costs.

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Feb 06 Comments Off

Yes, You Can: A Participative Approach to Occupational Health

Posted by Jon F. Kabance, RKT

The benefits of positive health behaviors, such as consistent physical activity or a balanced diet, are well documented. General knowledge dictates that one should exercise and eat plenty of leafy greens; the problem, however, seems to be getting people from “should” to “will”. Public health initiatives aside, this continues to be a particular area of concern for U.S. employers. Countless occupational health studies have shown that only a small percentage of working-age Americans incorporate these behaviors into their lifestyle. In a particularly revealing observation, one researcher described workers as “influenced by feelings of personal wellbeing rather than by health outcomes,” and that “health was viewed as a predetermined destiny that was outside the individual’s personal control [1].”

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Dec 14 Comments Off

What Makes an Occupational Wellness Program Effective?

Posted by Jon F. Kabance, RKT

As chronic health and musculoskeletal conditions continue to grow, today’s workforce faces formidable barriers to productivity and well-being. Over two-thirds of U.S. companies have attempted to address this phenomenon by investing in occupational wellness programs. Some focus solely on individual initiatives, such as weight loss or smoking cessation, while others provide health screening. Few, however, are sustainable. The RAND Workplace Wellness Programs Study found that on average, wellness programs only save $1.50 per employer-invested dollar. While certain programs deliver more favorable results—such as BIOKINETIX, with an average ROI of 6 to 1—they remain statistical outliers. With so much at risk, why do most wellness programs yield relatively low returns?

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Sep 23 Comments Off

Podcast: BIOKINETIX CEO Jon Kabance Discusses Injury Prevention on US Foods Radio

Posted by BIOKINETIX Marketing

Jon discusses the modern, effective methods of reducing workplace injuries with Susan Anderson from US Foods Radio. In an industrial work environment, the rigors and repetitive stress of physical tasks can cause significant wear and tear on the body. The best way to prevent this stress from turning into injury or illness is with a preventative health approach: […]

Aug 09 Comments Off

Prevent Occupational Hearing Loss

Posted by Jon F. Kabance, RKT

In an industrial work environment, at-risk behaviors such as poor posture and improper eye protection can be observed and corrected almost immediately. But another critical aspect of workplace safety often goes undetected– until the damage is already done. In the U.S., 22 million workers per year are at risk of occupational hearing loss [5]. Hearing damage typically occurs painlessly and progressively, but frequent and repeated exposure to high noise levels in the workplace can result in permanent hearing loss. Due to numerous sources of noise hazards such as heavy machinery and power tools, the mining, manufacturing, and construction industries experience the most incidences of work-induced hearing damage [1]. Although completely preventable, it has remained one of the most prevalent occupational health concerns for nearly three decades.

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Jul 29 Comments Off

Keeping the Flu Out of the Workplace

Posted by Michael Hickey, M.A., ATC, CSCS

August is National Immunization Awareness Month—a timely reminder that flu season is only a few months away. For occupational safety and health leaders, a proactive approach is the key to sustaining workplace illness prevention: to anticipate and prepare for risks before they even happen. Not only does mitigating the risk of exposure to infectious diseases in the workplace ensure that employees will be less likely to get themselves and their families sick, it also protects productivity and minimizes lost work time.

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Jul 18 Comments Off

How Exercise Brings Together Body and Mind

Posted by Jon F. Kabance, RKT

For decades, exercising has been associated with a myriad of physical benefits such as strength, agility, weight loss, longevity, and overall health. But what’s often missing from general knowledge is the fact that the benefits of working out extend to another important aspect of quality-of-life: cognitive function. From elevating mood to preserving long-term memory, exercise is proven to lend both brains and brawn to those who take part in it consistently.

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Jun 01 Comments Off

The Value of Prioritizing Shift Work Safety

Posted by Jacqueline Victoria

Demanding schedules are certainly no new phenomenon in the modern workplace. Shift work, particularly at night or in rotation, presents a set of occupational hazards that are often perceived as unavoidable. However, recognizing the risks of shift work and implementing solutions to mitigate these risks is an important part of maintaining a safe work environment that facilitates productivity and long-term health.

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May 23 Comments Off

Encouraging Sun Protection in the Workplace

Posted by Jacqueline Victoria

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, which serves as a particularly relevant reminder in light of the upcoming summer months. In anticipation of warmer weather and sunnier days, consider the importance of practicing skin cancer prevention—both recreationally and in the workplace.

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A three-part series on proactive intervention by BIOKINETIX

A three-part series on proactive intervention by BIOKINETIX

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