This is an installment of the Workplace Ergonomics 101 series.
We believe that prevention is better than treatment, and that one injury at work is too many.
It’s why our business exists and why we continue to practice our craft. It’s why we show up every week. It’s why we measure our results. It’s why we keep picking up sticks and we know it’s why you chose an occupation in the Health & Safety field, too.
Unfortunately, there are some things that get in the way of the prevention mentality. We get drowned out by other concerns such as a lack of time, money or fortitude to do the right things and get the company’s OHS program where it needs to be.
“It’s going to be difficult.”
“We’re compliant; that’s good enough.”
These two statements are killers of OHS success.
Simply being “compliant” with regulations is not the best way to do business. The best way to do business is to go beyond compliance and turn human performance into a competitive advantage for your business. It’s time for OHS to grow up and sit at the head table.
Here’s the good news: we can. Ergonomics, injury prevention and wellness are good for business and great for people. Everyone benefits, it’s the right thing to do and there is growing evidence to support it.
Prevention is Good for Business
Is there a business case for ergonomics, injury prevention and wellness?
You bet there is.
Ergonomics is good for business. The Washington State Department of Labor and industries reviewed 250 ergonomics case studies and concluded that ergonomics has many business benefits. Among them are reduced costs, improved productivity, better product quality, increased employee engagement and a better overall health & safety culture.
Our case studies show great business results and OSHA has also organized a great business case for health, safety and ergonomics.
Wellness is good for business. A growing compilation of research is providing a business case for wellness. The trend lines of average individual health in the United States and the average cost of healthcare in the United States paints a scary picture for business. When it comes to wellness, the price of inaction in the coming decades is so high for companies that the health of their employees will be anchored to the health of their organization as a whole.
Here it is according to NIOSH (emphasis added):
“Total Worker Health™ is a strategy integrating occupational safety and health protection with health promotion to prevent worker injury and illness and to advance health and well-being.”
We need to go beyond injury prevention and also advance the health and well-being of people. NIOSH didn’t always maintain this positioning, but recently added it due to increasing concerns over chronic health and other issues that are detrimental to human performance and other business outcomes.
Prevention is Great for People
Ergonomics, injury prevention and wellness are great for people.
We all keep track of numbers. When there is an injury, we add a number to the overall count and at the end of a specified period of time we review the numbers.
We need to remember that these numbers represent people and that injuries are a painful and costly experience for them.
Preventing this painful and costly experience is simply the right thing to do.
Employees that experience a disabling musculoskeletal disorder have their income level decreased by an average of 40% over five years, which translates into a drastic and long-lasting impact on 1) their ability to provide for their family, and 2) their quality of life.
That is unacceptable to us. It’s clear that every effort should be made to help the people at your company both maintain and advance their health. Think prevention.
Prevention today improves returns tomorrow; it’s good for business and great for people.
