Real benefits from proactive, on site physiotherapy in the management of workplace injury. The Issue: Assessment: Intervention: PIPS

Transcription

1 CASE STUDY # 1: GROCON Real benefits from proactive, on site physiotherapy in the management of workplace injury The Issue: Grocon is the largest privately owned development, construction, and investment management company in Australia. At their AAMI Stadium construction site in Melbourne they had 500 employees in place over 2 years. Unfortunately due to the physical nature of the work Grocon was suffering increasing injury rates and rising premium costs. In 2008 they engaged Bodycare to help formulate a plan to address these issues, with the goal of improving their injury management processes and occupational health culture among workers. Assessment: Bodycare conducted a thorough review of the issues facing Grocon onsite in order to formulate an intervention that would meet these challenges. Some of the concerning points were: Increasing frequency of MTI s and LTI s onsite, upwards of 8 per week Poor workplace culture where workers were afraid to report injuries An ageing workforce with degenerative conditions emerging Onsite first aiders were not equipped to deal with musculoskeletal injuries Poor communication between doctors, OH&S staff, and injured workers Employees attended offsite medical care when not required, upsetting productivity Intervention: Bodycare partnered with Grocon to create a strategy centred around the implementation of a proactive injury prevention system. This program encouraged early intervention for injury risks, ongoing education of employees and supervisors and correct manual handling training for all staff. Occupational Onsite Physiotherapist Injury focus education sessions Pre Employment assessments Risk Assessments Integrated injury management databases VIP Clinical Treatment Service Service Proposal PIPS Proactive Injury Prevention System Onsite stretching & work hardening programs Functional capacity evaluations for all co-workers Specialised manual handling training Task specific exercise posters Worksite and ergonomic assessments Job diary and suitable duties register The physiotherapist commenced with hands on treatment of new and existing injuries, with rehabilitation programs created for chronic problems or longstanding workcover claims. Education sessions were conducted with specific groups in at risk areas, and manual handling training, education, and ongoing assessments were provided to all staff. Communication was maintained with regular scheduled meetings with OH&S staff as well as monthly reporting on all injuries and patients. Access to Bodycare s unique injury management software provided real time statistics and tracking for all injuries and areas, allowing focus to be shifted to deal with risky areas or body sites with ease.

2 CASE STUDY # 1: GROCON Outcome: Injuries by job type During the first two years Grocon worked with Bodycare they experienced significant improvement in their injury statistics. MTI s and LTI s were reduced from 24 per month to 2. The average number of treatments per injury reduced from 14.8 to 6. Due to Bodycare s unique injury tracking software, Grocon was also more aware of the demographics, job tasks, and body sites of their most common injuries. This allowed them to continue tailoring further intervention plans to address these areas. General Labourer 12.8% Foreman 9.2% Dogman 6.2% Carpenter 33.7% Plumber 2.2% Scaffolders 5.5% Concreter 10.3% Steel Fixer 3.3% Other 1.2% Fork Lift Driver 1.1% Office / Admin 6.6% Ops Admin 1.1% Electrical Worker 7% At the completion of the two year engagement, Grocon had saved a potential $478,281 in premium increases. Their workplace culture had changed and workers felt confident to come forward with their injuries early and express concerns about risk. Stretching and ongoing education regarding injuries, manual handling, and exercise had become a part of the daily culture onsite. Cost Saving Analysis for Prevented Claims $600,000 $500,000 $400,000 $300,000 The real benefit of having the on-site physio facility to become proactive in the management of workplace injury... I would be very willing to recommend this company to any company looking for a proactive approach to injury management. Matthew Couttie National Workers Compensation Manager Grocon $200,000 $100,000 0 Dollars saved in potential premium increase Bodycare service cost As a manufacturer we were suffering from an increase in musculoskeletal injuries through manual handling. Since engaging Bodycare we have been able to not only more effectively manage the treatment of injured workers but have also been able to offer a fantastic benefit to our employees. David Topp, Human Resource Manager, Toyota Boshoku Bodycare s proactive onsite service has enabled the company to mitigate injury risks as well as reduce workers compensation costs. There is convenient support for injury rehabilitation without the need for employees to even leave the work place. Dennis Porcellato, Group Manager FMCG, Linfox Logistics Prior to Bodycare commencing the rate of sprain and strain musculoskeletal disorders onsite was high and trending upwards. Within the first 12 months of introducing Bodycare, the number of workers compensation claims for sprains and strains had decreased by 79% which represented a cost saving to the business of over $460,000. Graham Murdoch National Human Resource Manager, Fuchs Lubricants

3 CASE STUDY # 2: AMCOR Real benefits from proactive, on site physiotherapy in the management of workplace injury The Issue: Amcor is a world leader in packaging, providing services across a wide range of materials and products. In February they engaged Bodycare to formulate and deliver a proactive service to Amcor workers at their Oakleigh site with the following goals: Efficient onsite injury prevention Improve worker strength and health Reduce the rate of workplace injuries Improve longevity of ageing workers Assessment: During an initial assessment Bodycare identified several areas with room for improvement in Amor s injury management program. Manual handling and ergonomic training was sparse and intermittent, and in general workers understanding of injuries and risk was poor. In what was primarily a reactive system; injured workers were sent offsite to health centres which lacked understanding of the specific tasks of their workplace. Communication between parties relating to injured workers was lacking or delayed. This resulted in delayed return to work, inappropriate restrictions on duties, and inefficient triage of injuries. Intervention: In collaboration with Amcor, Bodycare formulated an intervention plan to address the specific goals of the company. The key objectives were early detection and intervention for injuries, improved education and training throughout the site, improving the strength and conditioning of the workers, and enhanced communication between all parties with regards to injury management. The cornerstone of this approach was the implementation of a specially trained onsite physiotherapist and treatment room to diagnose and treat injuries as they occur. In addition the following actions were taken over the following months: Functional strengthening and conditioning programs Posters and handouts with area specific advice/exercises Manual handling/ergonomic assessments on all staff Regular scheduled meetings and s with OH&S staff Risk assessments outlining risks for each individual job type Implementation of pre-shift warm up Task specific 1 on 1 education and exercise advice Changes to protocols based on risk recommendations Functional capacity assessment for selected workers

4 CASE STUDY # 2: AMCOR Results: Throughout the initial 7 month pilot program, this injury prevention system integrated seamlessly into Amcor plant operations. Amcor workers developed improved body awareness, strength, manual handling technique, and increased longevity for their ageing workforce. The culture of the workforce shifted to one where early reporting of injuries, risks, and health concerns was encouraged and facilitated by the site presence of the occupational physiotherapist. The overall result for Amcor after 12 months of Bodycare s proactive intervention program was reduced treatment numbers, enhanced communication, earlier identification of risks, fewer LTI s/mti s, and a saving of over $338,270 in insurance premiums. Outcomes of the program September 100% attendance and compliance to program 50% maintained their high job rating 50% improved their job rating 82% maintained or improved their core strength 79% maintained or improved their shoulder strength 100% maintained or improved their knee strength Future Initiatives: Building on the success of the pilot program Bodycare has strategized some key focus areas for future initiatives at Oakleigh and other Amcor sites around Victoria. Cost Saving Analysis for Prevented Claims Feb-Aug $400,000 Task specific education in exercises, manual handling, and ergonomics. $300,000 Functional assessments for all Amcor workers. Focus on education and prevention of injuries for the ageing workforce. $200,000 Compiling risk assessments into a complete job dictionary outlining requirements, risks, and available modifications to specifics tasks. $100,000 Pre-shift warm-up programs led by the onsite physiotherapist to improve the culture of health for every shift and maintain accessibility to the service. Taking the experience and expertise gained at Oakleigh and applying it in a consistent manner to future Amcor sites. 0 Dollars saved in potential premium increase Bodycare service cost As a manufacturer we were suffering from an increase in musculoskeletal injuries through manual handling. Since engaging Bodycare we have been able to not only more effectively manage the treatment of injured workers but have also been able to offer a fantastic benefit to our employees. David Topp, Human Resource Manager, Toyota Boshoku Bodycare s proactive onsite service has enabled the company to mitigate injury risks as well as reduce workers compensation costs. There is convenient support for injury rehabilitation without the need for employees to even leave the work place. Dennis Porcellato, Group Manager FMCG, Linfox Logistics Prior to Bodycare commencing the rate of sprain and strain musculoskeletal disorders onsite was high and trending upwards. Within the first 12 months of introducing Bodycare, the number of workers compensation claims for sprains and strains had decreased by 79% which represented a cost saving to the business of over $460,000. Graham Murdoch National Human Resource Manager, Fuchs Lubricants

5 CASE STUDY # 3: METCASH Real benefits from proactive, on site physiotherapy in the management of workplace injury The Issue: Metcash is Australia s leading wholesale distribution and marketing company specialising in grocery, fresh produce, liquor, hardware and automotive parts and accessories. In September 2012 they engaged Bodycare to work at their Laverton distribution centre to help address several problems they were facing with their injury management process. Assessment: Bodycare s assessment of the site revealed several key areas which were resulting in an unsustainable number of injuries and lost time at the workplace. There was an inefficient and reactive onsite employee injury management program. Employees were sustaining musculoskeletal injuries on a daily basis. The onsite nurse had no experience in treating musculoskeletal injuries. Workplace injuries were becoming an exceptional financial burden. The number of employees going offsite for external intervention was approximately 3 per week but was as high as 4 per day. A significant number of newly employed staff were injuring themselves as they were not physically suited to the role they were hired for. There was a lack of communication between workers, treatment providers, and health and safety management staff Working closely with Metcash, Bodycare formulated an intervention plan to address these areas and streamline the injury management process. Intervention: With the introduction of a specially trained onsite occupational physiotherapist the following services were implemented: Early assessment and triage of injuries and niggles before they progress Company specific pre-employment screening assessment with same-day reporting Ongoing manual handling and ergonomic assessments and advice for all staff Unique injury management software delivering site specific injury prevention reports Specialised manual handling training for each workzone Ongoing verbal and communication and integration with key site stakeholders In house functional strengthening and rehabilitation programs Task specific one on one education and exercises

6 CASE STUDY # 3: METCASH Outcome: Following the implementation of Bodycare s onsite service, Metcash saw a dramatic reduction in lost time injuries, work cover claims, and premium increases as well as an improvement in workers attitudes towards health and injury, communication between concerned parties, and accuracy in reporting injury causes. 800 Hours Lost May March 2014 No. Hours May June July Aug Sept OCt Nov Dec Jan 2014 Feb 2014 Mar 2014 March recorded hours lost v s March hours lost. March 2014 recorded two consecutive weeks of 0 hours lost. There had been a cultural shift towards proactivity and honesty regarding injuries, where employees felt more comfortable about reporting and dealing with niggles early rather than letting them develop into more serious problems. Automated updates and scheduled meetings with management staff streamlined communication and reduced wasted time, and all return to work programs and work cover certificates were now managed onsite. All Manual Handling training was now formalized and relevant to the injury risks being observed onsite. Summary: From the time of Bodycare s engagement in September 2012 until March 2014 Metcash had saved a projected total of $557,634 in insurance premium increases at their Laverton distribution centre. The number of injuries and the time taken to resolve each injury had been dramatically reduced, and there was a greater emphasis on education and prevention among employees and management. Indicator Pre Bodycare With Bodycare Onsite LTIFR LTI 21 6 No. Claims No. Hours lost Lost time Wage Cost $211,367 $95,030 Wage saving to the business $116,337 Pre Employment Cost $18,000 $1,800 Time required to resolve injuries 6 weeks 2 weeks