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On-site injury prevention and management: Beyond the treatment room

According to the latest update from SafeWork Australia, body stressing injuries topped the list as the most common injury resulting in a claim (36 per cent).

The World Health Organisation has clearly identified the workplace as an important area of action for health promotion and disease prevention.

Taking a proactive and preventative approach to musculoskeletal injuries on-site is proven to affect the duration of an injury, while also reducing the risk of it going to claim.

This is great not only for employees, as they remain productive and at work, but also for the business.

What should you look for in an onsite health provider?

An onsite healthcare provider is more than just a person who comes to you for injury treatment. A qualified and experienced allied health professional will partner with the patient and his full integration with the workplace.

With a focus on injury prevention and management, an onsite health provider will:

  • Identify how a worker is using their body to perform their role
  • Understand the injury and health risks associated with each task being performed
  • Identify underlying health conditions that may affect injury recovery and outcomes (diabetes, for example)
  • Develop tailored return to work programs

Learn more about Work Healthy Australia’s approach to on-site healthcare here.

A physical presence onsite, dedicated treatment/rehabilitation space and key stakeholder engagement are key to a successful onsite program.

But the proactive and preventative elements of an onsite system of care will be informed by the valuable treatment data and health insights that are gathered along the way.

Data example: Body region by length of service

In this example, one can see that the top three body regions being treated are shoulder, lower back and neck.

 

Looking closer, we can see that 85 per cent of these injuries have occurred to workers who have been with the business for under three years.

 

Why is it important that an onsite health provider records this information?

A skilled onsite provider will be able to use and interpret treatment data to help one improve the processes, programs and ultimately reduce the risk of injuries in the workplace.

The example given above could form the basis for one’s approach to an induction program, targeted strengthening and exercise program, or even a pre-employment medical process.

SafeWork Australia says work health and safety improvements are best achieved when health and safety is supported by the organisation’s culture and embedded in its procedures and processes.

Everyone wins with an onsite program

Engaging workers is key to maintaining a healthy and productive workplace. When a successful onsite system of care is implemented, workers can:

  • Better understand the importance of adhering to health & safety processes
  • Contributed to a positive safety culture
  • Utilise treatment services at the appropriate times
  • Safely perform their duties; and
  • Feel valued in the workplace

By utilising specialist onsite services to develop an effective system of care, businesses can experience positive change in the health and safety of their workplace.

Onsite care, including the integration of onsite treatment, provides:

  • Easy access to allied health professionals
  • Less disruption to worker schedules
  • A close-up and unique understanding of the workplace environment
  • Positive employee morale and workplace culture
  • Direct communication lines with relevant safety supervisors and management
  • Tailored data driven solutions
  • A focus on productivity efficiencies

Find out more about implementing an onsite system of care in your workplace by contacting Work Healthy Australia.

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