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September 2003

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Table of contents:

Reducing workers compensation costs by adjusting management attitudes

Worker self-protection tactics - recovery strategies after a hard day's work

Think Safe! - Preventing carpal tunnel syndrome

Reducing workers compensation costs by adjusting management attitudes

It costs your company less money to prevent injuries than to deal with them after they have occurred. In too many cases, supervisors and managers treat workers complaining of aches and pains with skepticism and contempt. Managers adapt this attitude toward injured workers for many reasons: they have been burned in the past by false claims, they may be angered because the injured employee creates additional work for them. However, studies have shown that the vast majority (90-95%) of reported work injuries are valid/legitimate. But no matter what has caused the manager's distrustful attitude, the bottom line is that these skeptical attitudes will only increase your company's workers compensation costs.

If an atmosphere of distrust exists between management and workers then workers with legitimate complaints will be intimidated by management and less likely to report early symptoms of injury such as aches and pains. As a result, these mostly treatable aches and pains that have not been reported to management will develop into full-blown, costly, loss-time injuries. It is much more cost-effective for management to adapt a proactive, preventative attitude toward worker injuries and encourage workers to report aches and pains early on.

By adopting the proactive, preventative attitude toward worker injuries, management is not only stopping early injuries from escalating but is also improving management-worker relations. If workers believe that management is making a sincere effort to take their healthcare concerns seriously than they are more likely to return this effort at work and are less likely to make illegitimate injury claims. In conclusion, if management simply takes the effort to adapt a proactive, preventative approach toward claims of worker's aches and pains then they will be rewarded with decreased worker compensation costs and improved management-worker relations.

If your company would like assistance in developing an early intervention program to address the early symptoms of injury in your workers, call us toll-free at (866) 298-1312.

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Worker self protection tactics - recovery strategies after a hard day's work

A hard day's work requires rest to repair the wear and tear on the body. Otherwise, damage will outrun repair over the months or years of work, resulting in injury, chronic pain or disability.

Upper body recovery from a hard day's work requires that you rest your neck, shoulder and arms. The best position for rest for the upper body is to sit in an easy chair with a towel roll or small pillow behind your lower back for support. Place two pillows in your lap to cradle your arms. Rest your head back against the chair using a small towel roll behind your neck. Just a few minutes will help. Another position of great comfort is to lie on a firm padded surface, such as a rug, with your legs bent, resting on the seat of a chair or ottoman.

Do upper body stretching exercises (see next article for examples) at home at the end of the work day before bedtime. This restores the flexibility you lost during the day's work...allowing your body to heal itself properly during tonight's sleep. Applying moist heat before doing the exercises can help. Take a brisk walk. This can greatly help your neck and back.

Treat your sore spots with ice massage. Rub an ice cube over the pain for two minutes. Follow this with trigger point massage, by pressing your thumb or fingertips firmly into the sore spot and rub hard for one minute. Follow this with a ten second stretch of the effected area. This is a somewhat painful process, but very effective at clearing out inflammation and scar tissue in tendons and muscles.

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Think Safe! - Preventing carpal tunnel syndrome

What is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?

The carpal tunnel is a narrow channel of bone and ligaments in the wrist. When tendons and other tissues in the tunnel become irritated, the median nerve running through it may be compressed, or "pinched". This causes severe pain in the hand and wrist.

What causes CTS?

>p?CTS is caused by long-term, forceful, repetitive hand and wrist movements, like those commonly performed by keyboard operators, assembly line workers and others. Additionally, sustained posture may distrupt the nutrient pathway to the structures performing the work, thus allowing them to breakdown. In rare cases, CTS-like symptoms may be caused by diabetes or arthritis.

What are the early warning signs?

Early symptoms include tingling, numbness, burning, or pain in the hand and wrist. The shoulder and arm may also be affected. Symptoms may often occur at night.

What are the dangers?

If untreated, the crippling pain, nerve damage, and loss of muscle strength of CTS can result in permanent disability.

How is CTS diagnosed?

CTS is diagnosed through a physical examination, X-rays, and tests of nerve and muscle activity in the hand and wrist.

What is the treatment?

Medical treatment options include rest, physical therapy, medications, and the use of splints. As a last resort, surgery may be needed. Early treatment is essential for preventing permanent damage to hands and wrists.

7 ways you can prevent carpal tunnel syndrome at work and at home

• Keep wrists straight when working at a keyboard or using a mouse (avoid mouse pads with "wrist rests" which can directly compress the carpal tunnel).
• Keep your wrist straight and use your whole hand to grasp objects.
• Minimize repetitive activities; alternate tasks which require different movements and postures.
• Take special care with forceful actions, such as pushing open doors, lifting heavy objects, and opening jars.
• Give your hands brief and frequent rests to allow them to recover from repetitive exertions.
• Strengthen your hands and wrists through the exercises described in the following section.
• Consult a doctor or therapist if you have persistent possible symptoms of CTS. Early treatment is vital.

ON-THE-JOB FITNESS EXERCISES

Hand Massage

Gently massage the palm and back of each hand, using a circular motion. This especially helps the muscle at the base of the thumb.

Clench and Fan

With hands in front of you, first make a fist and hold for 5 seconds. Then spread out the fingers as far apart as you can. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat up to 5 times for each hand. .

Thumb Stretch

Gently grasp the thumb of one hand and pull out and down until you feel the stretch. Hold for 5 to 20 seconds. Repeat 3 to 5 times with each thumb.

Wrist Stretch

Grasp the palm and base of fingers of one hand and bend back the wrist while your elbow is straight. Hold for 5 seconds. Then switch hands.

Neck Stretch

Grasp and pull down shoulder with opposite hand while gently leaning head away until you feel the stretch. Hold for 5 seconds. Then switch sides.

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