Excelling at safety means making worker well-being a priority on the job site.

Some workers embody the "too tough to worry about it" mentality with the attitude that nothing terrible could happen to them and discussions of well-being can seem out of place. The common perception is that seasoned workers should be able to handle health and emotional issues, bravely soldiering on until the work has ended. 

The truth is that health and well-being are important for all workers, regardless of their industry. Many companies, specifically construction, need to shake off the old perceptions and start taking a proactive approach in managing and protecting the well-being of its workforce and aligning strategies found in NIOSH Total Worker Health ™ (TWH) approach make perfect business sense.

Total Worker Health ™ (TWH) is defined as policies, programs, and practices that integrate protection from work-related safety and health hazards with promotion of injury and illness prevention efforts to advance worker well-being.

We have always known hands on work to be physically and mentally demanding. We can no longer sit back and watch chronic injuries and illnesses force many experienced laborers to retire early, change professions, or increase safety risks due to the health status of the workforce.  A growing body of evidence suggests that significant benefits can occur when health and safety are integrated, that’s why the most successful programs are those that blend a holistic approach to form a continuum that can lead to a true culture of health and safety.

Strategies:

• Wellness Promotion: Focusing on health factors (nutrition, stress, sleep, physical activity, etc.) that are not directly related to the work, but can make a positive impact to your workforce. By implementing a wellness plan, it can lead to improving overall health, increasing productivity all while improving safety.
• Emotional Health Resources: Specific to the construction industry, mental health awareness and suicide prevention are part of ensuring a safe job site for every single worker. If your company is committed to safety, then it must also be committed to mental health; the two go hand in hand. Now is the time for the industry to STAND UP for suicide prevention and address it as a safety and health priority.

• Injury Prevention and Opioids: Unfortunately, nearly any job can be the source of discomfort or pain for workers. According to the CDC the most common treatment for chronic pain over the last 20 years has been opioids. Because of the addictive nature of the drugs, they can be a danger to both the injured workers and the workplace, particularly if the worker is operating equipment or machinery. Stopping the demand for opioids starts with preventing the need for them. That means preventing pain before it starts and preventing workers from being hurt on the job.

Getting Ahead of Injury

Companies are beginning to look at investing in ergonomic programs, training, and at providing a resource that assists with the early onset of musculoskeletal issues through early intervention.

Early Intervention programs emphasize the early reporting of soreness or discomfort, prior to a major dysfunction or documented injury.  Quite simply, the strategy addresses an ache before it becomes a pain and a stress before it becomes a strain.  Programs operate under the umbrella of “evaluation and first aid” as defined by the Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), versus addressing the risk through traditional physician consultation.  These programs are typically staffed by an Industrial Athlete Coach (licensed physical therapists or certified athletic trainers) that are musculoskeletal experts.

These licensed personnel provide first aid care of musculoskeletal discomfort defined by OSHA which includes ice or heat, over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, elastic tape or non-rigid splinting, postural balance stretching, and massage. And in numerous case studies nearly 95% of all reports of discomfort using these types of early intervention solutions can effectively address and resolve worker’s discomfort.

However, addressing symptoms alone may fail to address why the discomfort occurred in the first place. Having an early intervention resource that works to review work methods, identify the root cause of the discomfort, and provide the employer ergonomic guidance or the employee coaching on how to avoid further injury can help stop the cycle of pain - ultimately reducing the need for the opioids in the first place.

Business Case for TWH

Blending a TWH approach can also be an effective recruiting tool.  It's a tool that will make it clear that you're invested in your workers as people.  Giving your workers/contractors the tools to perform at the top of their game mentally and physically is crucial to your operation and the company's success. Workers who leave the job site pain free with “gas left in the tank” for activities outside of work are critical for a healthy worker and safer job-site.

To learn more about the benefits we have seen applying the principles of Total Worker Health™ to environments like transportation, manufacturing, construction, and distribution, contact Atlas Director, Kris Corbett (kcorbett@atlas-ips.com). Kris has over 20 years experience helping companies reach their safety goals and is ready to assist you.