You might be wondering what kind of results you could expect from the comprehensive MSD prevention process we often write about.
Well, the results are in.
Following are two case studies from Ergonomics Plus clients. We don’t show you these to brag, but to illustrate what can happen when you think prevention first and implement a comprehensive prevention process. We’ll also include the strategy and takeaways that can be learned from the case studies.
Let’s get started.
Case Study 1 – Juno Lighting Group
The problem:
Upon contacting Ergonomics Plus for services in 2006, the Juno Lighting Group Fishers, Indiana facility was experiencing high levels of recordable injuries and illnesses. In 2005, the facility experienced thirty (30) OSHA recordable injuries and had a medical incidence rate of 20.29.
Although there was an active safety team, there was not an ergonomic team, no formal process to identify ergonomic improvement opportunities and no formal early intervention process had been established to address early signs of employee fatigue or discomfort.
The solution:
Through the use of Ergonomics Plus on-site services, Juno Lighting Group was able establish a comprehensive MSD prevention process and see significant reductions in the key health & safety metrics they measure.
Juno Lighting Group was able to do this by implementing the Ergonomics Plus injury prevention process, the E+ System.
The results:
Since instituting the E+ System in 2006, JLG Fishers has experienced significant decreases in OSHA recordable injuries, medical incidence rate, and lost workdays.
Case Study 2 – Square D
The problem:
Upon contacting Ergonomics Plus for services, this facility was looking for solutions to combat high workers compensation claims and costs. The company had recently experienced 34 medical MSD cases with high severity and lost time rates as well.
They had a safety team in place but no formal ergonomic improvement process, education/training process or early intervention strategy to proactively reduce MSD risk factors.
The solution:
Square D partnered with Ergonomics Plus to establish a comprehensive MSD prevention process to systematically reduce injury risk. This has been a tremendously successful partnership. An Ergonomics Plus injury prevention specialist has been making weekly visits to this Square D facility since 1993 – an example of weekly dedication producing long-term results.
Square D has seen major improvements in the key health & safety metrics it tracks as well as a healthy return on their investment.
The results:
Since instituting the Ergonomics Plus MSD prevention process in 1993, Square D has experienced significant reductions in OSHA recordables, MSD cases and related claims and costs.
The Strategy and Takeaways
The key to successful MSD prevention is to reduce all risk factors that contribute to MSDs. Both of these facilities have completely bought in to this philosophy, and they are reaping the rewards.
If you’re a proactive health & safety leader looking to take your OHS program to the next level, consider implementing a comprehensive MSD prevention process at your facility.
By systematically reducing MSD risk factors, you can improve key health & safety metrics as well as increase productivity and overall human performance.
Consider adding or improving upon these parts of your process:
1) Ergonomic Improvement Process: A systematic ergonomic improvement process is a cornerstone of successful MSD prevention efforts. Ergonomics is not just about doing ergonomic assessments; it’s about making cost-effective improvements.
2) Education and Training Process: Education and training is a process that ensures the entire workforce is fully aware of all risk factors that can lead to MSD; and not only know, but apply principles of MSD prevention. This is simple in concept, but difficult in practice. Remember that education and training is a process, not a one-time event that is quickly forgotten.
3) Early Intervention: Early intervention is a proactive strategy to find early signs of an injury and prevent it from happening. When employees recognize they are experiencing fatigue and discomfort (early warning signs of MSD), they are encouraged to report it. Once the issue is reported, self-help tools should be readily available to the employee through an experienced injury prevention specialist. Early intervention is about prevention, not treatment.
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