Erik Transforming Workers’ Musculoskeletal Health

 Erik Nieuwenhuis, MS, PT

 

An Institute of Medicine (IOM) report from June 2011 states that musculoskeletal pain affects at least 116 million (or 37%) adults in the United States each year 1, and musculoskeletal and cumulative trauma disorders, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, “tennis elbow” and “Blackberry thumb,” are the category of OSHA recordable injuries and illnesses that is growing most rapidly. 2

But employers should not be discouraged about tackling them, if they are willing to take a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach as St. Luke’s Health System in Sioux City, Iowa, has done.

A 160-bed regional medical center with 1,300 employees, St. Luke’s Health System has operated their Industrial Athlete IMPACC WorkSmart Ergonomics Program since 1998. They performed (and update) ergonomic work risk analyses of every department and clinic. Based on the results, ongoing ergonomics and healthy lifestyle training and personal coaching have been provided for all employees and managers. Posters, newsletter articles, an annual net learning review, and department meetings maintain the training messages. Individual health risk assessments and on-site treatment are also provided.

What’s the result of this comprehensive effort?

  • a 70% reduction of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) variances (early reporting of stiffness and pain measure) over 10 years, from 160 in 2001 to 48 in 2011

  • a 77% reduction of OSHA recordable MSD injuries to the lower back and shoulders

  • a 50% reduction of days away from work; restricted time claims reduced by 79%, from 92 in 2001 to only 18 claims with work restrictions in 2011 that were musculoskeletal in nature

Many other companies across the “Siouxland” area of Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska have discovered the benefits of Injury Management, Prevention and Cost Containment (IMPACC) programs, from schools to banks to manufacturers. One food manufacturing company has seen a 79% reduction in OSHA recordable MSD injuries since 2004 at their largest plant and an 83% reduction in days away from work caused by musculoskeletal injuries of the lower back, shoulders, wrists, and elbows.

Ergonomics-related problems may be complex and widespread, but improvements in workers’ lifestyle habits and musculoskeletal self-care can produce significant outcomes.

1 Relieving Pain in America: A Blueprint for Transforming Prevention, Care, Education, and Research (June 29, 2011)

2 Snakebite AWAY Carpal Tunnel and Tendonitis Pain

Erik Nieuwenhuis MS, PT is the WorkSmart ergonomics injury prevention specialist and Wellness consultant at St. Luke’s Health System in Sioux City, IA. Contact Erik at nieuween@stlukes.org or 712-279-1842.

December 2012


UI HealthWorks is a member of the WORKSAFE IOWA Occupational Medicine Associate Network, the only university-affiliated network of occupational health providers.

WORKSAFE IOWA is an outreach program of the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health.


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