Addressing spikes in strains and sprains with new hires
Published by HealthFitness on January 11th, 2025
A leading auto manufacturer with 1,275 unionized employees was adding a third shift and needed to address the historical spike in strains and sprains with new hires. The company partnered with HealthFitness to design and deliver an injury prevention program that was built on our core principles of training, education, awareness and support.
HealthFitness helped mitigate the increased risk of injury and muscle soreness among the company’s new team members by offering a comprehensive work conditioning and injury prevention program that included line-side coaching, pre-shift warm-ups, early intervention, educational resources and program integration.
Challenge
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 3 million on-the-job injuries occur each year. While not all of these injuries were considered serious, more than one-third were severe enough to require time off work in order to recover.
Newly hired team members at the manufacturer were experiencing more strains and minor injuries than tenured team members. The company was adding a third shift to production and needed to avoid the spike in injuries often experienced by the new workers.
Solution
Seven full-time HealthFitness injury prevention professionals were dedicated to specific product lines and company plant areas. The team launched work conditioning classes, line-side coaching, pre-shift stretching, early intervention, and provided educational resources.
At this site, employees received two-weeks of orientation and on-the-job training where they received 60- to 90-minutes of work conditioning training each day. After completing work conditioning, the HealthFitness team provided line-side coaching and first aid intervention.
Results
The manufacturer experienced a 15 percent reduction in injuries, which included the addition of a third shift and onboarding 858 new employees.
In addition, 94 percent of employees who participated in the early intervention program were discharged without the need for further medical care.
And finally, new hires who were part of the program were 2- to 4-times less likely to have strains or sprains than new hires who were not part of the program.
Connect with us to learn more about our injury prevention and treatment programs.
HealthFitness helped mitigate the increased risk of injury and muscle soreness among the company’s new team members by offering a comprehensive work conditioning and injury prevention program that included line-side coaching, pre-shift warm-ups, early intervention, educational resources and program integration.
Challenge
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 3 million on-the-job injuries occur each year. While not all of these injuries were considered serious, more than one-third were severe enough to require time off work in order to recover.
Newly hired team members at the manufacturer were experiencing more strains and minor injuries than tenured team members. The company was adding a third shift to production and needed to avoid the spike in injuries often experienced by the new workers.
Solution
Seven full-time HealthFitness injury prevention professionals were dedicated to specific product lines and company plant areas. The team launched work conditioning classes, line-side coaching, pre-shift stretching, early intervention, and provided educational resources.
At this site, employees received two-weeks of orientation and on-the-job training where they received 60- to 90-minutes of work conditioning training each day. After completing work conditioning, the HealthFitness team provided line-side coaching and first aid intervention.
Results
The manufacturer experienced a 15 percent reduction in injuries, which included the addition of a third shift and onboarding 858 new employees.
In addition, 94 percent of employees who participated in the early intervention program were discharged without the need for further medical care.
And finally, new hires who were part of the program were 2- to 4-times less likely to have strains or sprains than new hires who were not part of the program.
Connect with us to learn more about our injury prevention and treatment programs.
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