Make Workplace Safety a Habit, Not a Training Course

Onsite athletic trainers can provide expert guidance and enhance safety training to make injury prevention a workplace standard rather than a goal.

It's Day 1 at a large warehouse, and one particular new hire with a determined expression and eagerness to learn is ready to jump into the thick of things. Her heart races with excitement and a hint of nerves as she enters this bustling work environment clad in her safety gear. As she observed the organized chaos around her — the sounds of machinery, the beeping of forklifts, the chatter of her coworkers — she watched as experienced employees skillfully maneuvered heavy boxes and pallets, displaying a sense of teamwork and camaraderie that inspired her.

Eager to make a good first impression, the new hire reported to her assigned station and enthusiastically approached each task. From sorting shipments to assisting with loading trucks, she felt her confidence growing. As the day progressed, she felt a stronger sense of belonging in the fast-paced environment. She even stood out among the seasoned employees, who moved with practiced efficiency.

There were moments of uncertainty for her as she was part of a group of new employees being introduced to their roles without the usual comprehensive training sessions, which were not provided due to a staffing shortage. Despite this, she recognized the importance of keeping up and quickly adapted. She observed her colleagues closely and mimicked their techniques, even though she hadn't received formal training in every method observed.

And then it happened…

With limited guidance on safe lifting practices, she bent awkwardly and strained her back while attempting to lift a heavy box. The sharp pain that followed was immediate and debilitating. She reported the injury to her supervisor and could not continue her shift.

This unfortunate incident underscores the critical importance of comprehensive safety training, especially during the first few days or weeks of employment. New hires can be particularly vulnerable to workers' compensation injuries as they acclimate to the physical demands of their roles.¹ Businesses must prioritize robust injury prevention programs, emphasizing safety protocols and proper ergonomic techniques to mitigate such risks. And while safety training classes are both helpful and necessary, they may fall short of providing adequate injury prevention.

Effective intervention requires a consistent focus on reducing the risk and severity of injuries through various strategies to modify employee behaviors. Safety and risk managers may not fully understand the physiological factors that can influence workplace injury risks or lead to musculoskeletal injuries. Occupational health professionals can provide valuable guidance in this area.

Onsite occupational health services

Onsite occupational health services are vital in creating a safe work environment.² Having a dedicated, onsite occupational health professional means a business has someone who can become intimately familiar with the company's work environment and offer tailored advice and support. With inside knowledge, occupational health professionals can better address specific new-hire safety concerns to ensure new hires fully comprehend and comply with established safety standards. This can be especially beneficial to new employees who may not be aware of the potential hazards associated with their roles.

Onsite occupational health professionals can implement mandatory safety workshops that equip   newcomers with essential work-related skills. These workshops can focus on proper lifting techniques, maintaining optimal posture, and effectively using assistive equipment — all of which can help minimize injury risk.

Regular check-ins and assessments during the early stages of employment can be highly beneficial for reinforcing safe practices with new hires. This ongoing engagement allows new employees to feel supported while also building good work habits and cultivating a workplace culture centered around safety and well-being.

Interactive safety training

Creating an interactive, collaborative safety training program can help an employer communicate effectively with new and existing workers. Safety education should be a collaborative process rather than a one-way lecture. Long safety sessions can become tedious and leave participants fatigued and disengaged, making it easy for them to lose focus. Retaining large amounts of information during lengthy in-person or video sessions can be challenging.

To enhance learning, scheduling shorter safety training sessions covering new material and reviewing previously learned concepts is advisable. Reinforce this information through on-the-job exercises and regular discussions.

Making safety training interactive can involve hands-on demonstrations and visual aids, which are generally easier to comprehend and remember. Utilizing diverse teaching methods can increase the likelihood that employees — especially those new to the workplace — understand safety protocols and can effectively implement them in their roles.

The main point is that ongoing engagement in workplace safety is vital. Using a variety of safety training methods shows a commitment to continuous improvement. Combining education with practical skills fosters a safer work environment and encourages a safety-first mindset.

Onsite athletic trainers

Safety and risk managers have several key responsibilities, including ensuring compliance with safety regulations, implementing safety protocols, and conducting risk assessments. While these managers play a crucial role in prioritizing safety in the workplace, it may not be realistic to expect them to possess the medical expertise needed to fully understand and address the complex nature of injury risks that can affect workplace safety. Organizations can hire occupational health professionals such as athletic trainers to provide this medical expertise.

Athletic trainers are licensed medical professionals trained to assess, prevent, and manage various injuries. When present at a worksite, they can offer employees prompt care for relatively minor injuries; however, their talents can also be used in devising and executing workforce preventive health programs. Athletic trainers can play a pivotal role in fostering a culture of health and resilience among employees.

Imagine a warehouse work shift begins, and an athletic trainer gathers the employees. The trainer leads a vigorous warm-up session, demonstrating stretches and mobility activities designed to prepare the body for the physical demands ahead. The trainer underscores the vital role of warming up to prevent strains and injuries, empowering employees with clear instructions while nurturing a spirit of camaraderie. Building habits is the foundation for success in reshaping attitudes around workplace safety, as each small action taken consistently can lead to remarkable transformations over time.

Athletic trainers can use a collaborative approach to work alongside various leaders within an organization, including those in safety, human resources, operations, and more. Their primary goals may include identifying potential safety concerns, educating employees on work injury risks, and preparing them to perform daily tasks safely. Their choice of methods to achieve these goals could include:

• Pre-emptive training: Conduct ongoing education and training on proper lifting techniques and ergonomics
• Job functional assessments: Conduct work simulations to assess function and evaluate an individual's ability to perform specific tasks upon hiring or for return-to-work clearance
• Injury prevention: Evaluate new hires' movements and posture during the training phase, identify potential injury risk factors, and suggest modifications to improve safety and efficiency
• Timely injury response: Diagnose and treat minor injuries, assess injury severity, or provide therapeutic intervention to prevent further injury
• Rapid, sustainable return to work: Develop a rehabilitation plan for safe, effective injury recovery and timely return to work
• Employee wellness: Devise and implement a program focusing on overall well-being (e.g., strength and conditioning, physical fitness enhancement, etc.)

The presence of an onsite athletic trainer could help reshape employees' perceptions of a company's commitment to building a culture of workforce safety. When a trained medical professional is accessible for safety training and support, employees are more likely to adopt efficient work performance practices.

The urgency of workplace safety

The urgency of putting safety first in today's workplace cannot be overstated, especially in light of rising operating costs and workforce shortages. As organizations strive for success, it's critical to address the well-being of their team members by integrating resources that protect employees from preventable injuries. Many companies are figuring out how to do more with less [personnel], which makes strategically integrating resources that safeguard team members from injuries even more critical. Integrating onsite health solutions, such as athletic trainers, could be a key component of that strategy. Their specialized knowledge in injury prevention, rehabilitation, and health management can position them as invaluable partners. 

Rising operating costs are putting pressure on organizations to tighten their budgets; however, cutting investments in workplace safety would not be advisable from an occupational health perspective. In fact, workplace safety should be prioritized, given the uncertain economic climate and its potential business impact. Optimizing operational efficiency and managing finances to boost profit should not come at the expense of placing a company's most valuable asset — its workforce — at greater risk of injury. Now is the time to invest in workplace safety; it is both a best practice and a necessity for navigating the challenges of today's work environment.

Concentra onsite health services

As employers explore innovative ways to minimize costly workplace injuries, incorporating athletic trainers into their injury prevention program is emerging as a viable option. Concentra® utilizes the expertise of athletic trainers to boost workplace health and safety programs for companies varying in size and industry. With Concentra's scalable onsite health services, employers can customize their clinical staffing model to align with a worksite's specific health and safety objectives.

Employers can utilize Concentra's onsite health services to optimize operational efficiency through lower injury rates and workers' compensation costs. A case study showcases how a Concentra onsite athletic trainer collaborated with a major apparel distributor at one of its facilities. Together, they developed a strategy aimed at reducing the occurrence of musculoskeletal injuries and the associated workers' compensation costs. The outcomes of this case study demonstrate the tangible benefits of investing in onsite health.

Incorporating onsite health services into a company's safety program can shift workplace safety from an occasional training or event to a routine practice. Learn more about Concentra's onsite health services, including their various onsite clinic models.

References

1. Travelers Insurance. (2023, March 17). The Travelers Injury Impact Report.
2. National Association of Worksite Health Centers (n.d.). What is an Onsite Occupational Health Clinic?