exercise and work injury

“Active” workstations, such as treadmill desks, have become popular recently, especially since the emergence of “sitting disease”.  The negative effects associated with prolonged sitting are pretty well established, increasing risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.  Because people hear that sitting is “bad” they automatically think that having an active workstation, i.e.

Last week ErgoWeb published an article title “Stretching and Ergonomics”.  Although the article was written in 2004 I believe the key points cited in the article are still very true today, notably:

In this part two of my blog series on obesity and driving.  In Part 1 of this blog series I discussed a study (1) that examined normal weight and obese truck drivers based on BMI.  The study showed that severely obese drivers were 43% to 55% more likely to crash than were drivers with a normal BMI.  This is a striking correlation between weight and driving accidents.  Reading this study caused me to do a little more research on obesity and driving which is how I came across this second study:  Driver obesity and the risk of fatal injury during traffic collisions (2).

Last month I attended the Ergonomics Applied to Retail and Distribution conference in Minneapolis.  It was my first conference I attended that was strictly devoted to this sector.  While I was attending I was thinking that there could almost be an ergonomics and human factors conference devoted to each industry and/or sub-sectors because there are enough unique work tasks, needs and nuances that could support what occurred at this conference—that was speakers specific to the industry presenting their current challenges, attempted changes and full or partial solutions to their issues.

It’s getting to be that time of year when people get started on their gardening.  Gardening is fun and it’s great exercise.  Yard work such as raking, hoeing and carrying various things improves strength and endurance while other tasks help maintain flexibility.  Not only is it good for the body but also for the mind!  Gardening gets you outside in the sunshine and fresh air which serves as a great stress reliever from job pressures.

In an article I wrote last year, “To Stretch or Not To Stretch”, I concluded that stretching programs for the purpose of reducing injuries were not shown to be or not be effective.  As such, businesses should closely evaluate the costs of devoting time and resources to stretching programs compared to the supposed benefits.  I’d like to follow up that article with research done by Hess and Hecker on Workplace Stretching Programs:  The Rest of the Story.  In their research

Do you think it’s possible to eliminate work-related injuries (in your company)?  Is your (company) goal to have zero work-related injuries?  I frequently ask these two questions to my clients.  The answers (and looks on their faces) are quite varied.  There are those who immediately answer the first one by saying it’s “impossible” to have no injuries.  I’ve sometimes gotten the sense that they think I’m nuts for even asking the question and thinking that it is possible.  With the given response to the first question, their obvious answer to the second question is “No”.

In my previous blog I cited an article in the Star Tribune that was about a auto parts company that has their workers performing Pilates as a way to prevent injuries and reduce workers’ compensation costs.  Two questions came to mind when I read that article.  The first question “Is an exercise class the best way to lower workers’ compensation costs?” and second, “What is the cost/benefit of having such a program?”  I answered the first question in my previous blog so now let’s look at the cost/benefit of an exercise program, in other words what is the return on investment (ROI).

Recently there was an article in the Star Tribune about a auto dismantling company who started weekly Pilates classes for their workers who are required to participate.  The owners of the company, Ace Auto Parts, stated they hope the exercises will “help strengthen backs and shoulders and improve balance in ways that will ultimately reduce their workers’ compensation bills.”  (http://www.startribune.com/local/stpaul/103902038.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU).  The story goes on to say that their