Typically, people who get injured have a greater chance of reinjury without correct rehabilitative intervention. A study in New Zealand looked at predictors of subsequent injury at work to see if any light could be shed on those more likely to reinjure themselves in a 24-month period. Data was gathered from the Accident Compensation Corporation (New Zealand’s no-fault universal injury insurer), participant interviews, and hospital discharge data.
Findings
Of the participants, 37% had at least one subsequent work-related injury in 24 months. There were several factors highlighted that posed an increased risk of this occurring:
- A job involving carrying or moving heavy loads more than half the time,
- Being in a lower socioeconomic household, and
- Aged 50-64 years old
Info Unpacked
There are always multiple ways to interpret data and results from a study, but let’s look at how this can be used to help your business. This research paper states that ‘presenting with a work-related injury indicates a potentially important intervention point for subsequent injury prevention’. Fair point, it would be a somewhat preventative measure, but the injury has already occurred and affected the business’:
- productivity,
- insurance premium,
- workload on remaining workers,
- staff morale, and
- time and money spent managing the claim.
Opportunities
If a workplace was to be truly proactive and preventative, in regards to workplace injuries, it would firstly need to fully understand the physical and mental requirements of the work performed. It would then need to identify the physical and mental capabilities of all their workers and potential workers. This would bring about several opportunities:
- make appropriate changes to tasks that are high risk,
- match the worker to the appropriate work,
- increase the physical or mental capabilities of a worker to perform their role or potential role, and
- ideally, increase the physical or mental capacity of a worker so they are well beyond the task requirements, to provide a buffer and further reduce their risk of injury.
The How
Workplaces need to ensure their different roles are assessed by a professional to determine the physical and mental requirements. Their workers would also need to be assessed by professionals to determine their capabilities, with prospective employees better suited to a pre-employment screening (see our previous blog for more information). An onsite physiotherapy presence, such as an Employ Health – Health Hub, is perfectly positioned to deliver these services and help move a business from a reactive to a proactive situation.
Reference:
Harcombe H, Samaranayaka A, Wyeth EH, et al. Predictors of subsequent injury at work: findings from a prospective cohort of injured workers in New Zealand. Occupational and Environmental Medicine Published Online First: 13 August 2020. doi: 10.1136/oemed-2020-106597
