In 2024 OSHA initiated a three-year national emphasis that includes ergonomics hazards for warehouse and distribution center operations.
Overexertion injuries cost employers 12.84 billion dollars a year in medical costs and lost wages and awkward postures injuries cost employers 3.67 billion dollars a year. There have been many initiatives to mitigate these costs.
Many programs are reactive to an employee having a symptom or self-perceived fatigue or discomfort. These preventative programs are provided in a wide variety of ways which have included post-offer-employment testing (POETS), job training / conditioning prior, safety education on ergonomics, on-site wellness and direct access interventions, video monitoring and now wearable technologies.
Attendees will hear discussion of a holistic on-site program that emphasizes mitigation of musculoskeletal injuries. Discussion will occur on parameters for implementing and maintaining this type of program.
As the field becomes more technologically based, future possibilities will be reviewed to identify mechanical stress on employees prior to symptoms occurring.
Many concepts from sport science have been adopted in managing the “industrial athlete”. A review of how technology and data tracking have influenced athletes to perform optimally, and mitigating injury will be reviewed. Similar model possibilities will be discussed in the occupational preventative setting.
The audience will gain familiarity with most current concepts and technologies along with future possibilities. The discussion will center on taking what is often a reactionary approach once an employee has a symptom to a more proactive program to intervene with an employee prior to symptoms occurring.
Panelists will include Marsha Wood, Director Environmental, Health and Safety, Occupational Health and Medical Management from Rivian. Marsha has overseen a holistic on-site program including on-site access to providers. She will share her experiences with this type of program and the return on investment for this model.
Robert Townsend, Head of Research and Education from Bardavon will be able to review future trends with the utilization of technology. This will include reviewing current trends with sport science and how the opportunity for implementing similar initiatives with the workforce of physically active occupations.
