How to manage the top work related injury?

Having an extensive knowledge base of the physical job requirements and manual task risk is a crucial foundation for a successful program. In the initial stages, consultants extensively analyse every job within your workplace to develop an online Job Dictionary database. Each job is then assigned a physical rating from ‘sedentary’ to ‘very heavy’ manual work based using the standardised Dictionary of Occupational Titles (this a crucial requirement for the Capacity Matching System which will be elaborated on later). With the Job Dictionary complete, Manual Task Risk Assessments are conducted for tasks within each role. A report is then compiled with control recommendations for tasks with identified manual risk, which a site can then take action to make the task in question safer and easier.

A strong body of evidence suggests that the quicker a worker’s complaint is addressed with correct management and advice, the better the return to work outcome. (arpa.org.au, n.d., 1-3) Employ Health’s onsite service ensures Early Intervention injury management is easily accessible to the worker by providing an experienced physiotherapist on your doorstep. A 24/7 Rapid Response service is also available to allow phone injury triage, should a complaint arise outside of onsite hours. During a consultation the worker’s complaint will be assessed by one of Employ Health’s workplace physiotherapists who are elite performers in the occupational rehabilitation of workplace musculoskeletal disorders. If required, the physiotherapist can use our job database to provide accurate modified duties recommendation to prevent aggravation and escalation of work related injury. As part of an assessment, the worker’s physical capacity can also be assessed and subsequent physical rating assigned to them, which can subsequently be matched to their job’s physical rating. In the case of a mismatch, the worker can participate in a Prehab strength and conditioning program to get fitter and stronger BEFORE an injury happens.

Regular initiatives to drive an emphasis that ‘Health Trumps Everything’ will transform a workplace’s culture. The fitter and healthier workers generally are, the lower the likelihood of injury. A variety of training sessions are provided, including supervisor training, to facilitate correct injury management protocols and optimal worker support. Specific ergonomic training for both office based and manual work can also be provided. 

Once the core foundations of the program are established, there are many proactive initiatives which can further emphasise the importance of health across the workplace and reduce the risk of injuries. For example, personalised Fit For Life assessments can be conducted with workers for a variety of objective health and wellbeing measurements, including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, diabetes risk, dietary habits, sleep hygiene, emotional wellbeing and physical activity levels. Workers are then educated on areas of improvement and goals set to change lifestyle factors as required. Depersonalised data can also be captured to provide an insight on the overhealth health and wellbeing status of your workplace. This data can then be utilised to initiate further wellbeing initiatives such as targeted Health and Wellbeing Seminars.