Page 55 - OHS, July/August 2021

Addressing the stigma of reaching out for help must be paramount. Injury Prevention and Opioids. Unfortunately, nearly any job in any industry 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 disfunction 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 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. In numerous case studies, nearly 90 percent of all reports of discomfort using these types of early intervention solutions can effectively address and resolve a 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, provide the employer ergonomic guidance or 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 project 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 jobsite.
Kris Corbett is the Director at Atlas-IPS.
REFERENCES
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2491397/
2. https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/about/index.htm
3. https://preventconstructionsuicide.com/Are_You_at_Risk
4. https://preventconstructionsuicide.com/STAND_UP_for_Suicide_ Prevention
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