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September / October 2007

Minimizing Injuries - One Step at a Time

Step 4: Employee Motivation Training

In our past three newsletters we tackled the first steps in our “Minimizing Injuries” series:

Step 1: Make sense of your injury data
Step 2: Ergonomic analysis
Step 3: Management Training

The fourth step for minimizing injuries is Employee Motivation Training. However, it is important to note that in order to make Employee Motivation Training truly effective, the previously discussed three steps must be implemented. So, if you don’t wish to waste time and money, be sure your organization has a full understanding of the injury issues, a detailed ergonomic analysis of the workplace, and comprehensive management training in place prior to training employees.

Employee Motivation Training should be very different from Management Training. There should be little discussion of disease processes and symptoms. Instead, the focus should be on teaching employees how to “Work Smart” in order to avoid the fatigue that leads to injury.

Employee Motivation Training should include:

The “Industrial Athlete” approach to taking proper care of the working, aging body.
Instruction in proper work techniques, personal ergonomics and correct posture – not only for work, but at home as well.
Instruction in workplace stretching programs that take only a minute but can dramatically reduce their chance of injury.
Education in self-care techniques for minor injuries and to prevent overuse injuries.
Education in personal risk factors that can contribute to injury.
Emphasis on personal accountability in the prevention of injury.

At CISonsite we have qualified trainers and proven employee training programs. For more information, contact us at (866) 298-1312.

Stay tuned to our next newsletter to learn more in our series of Minimizing Injuries – One Step at a Time. If you've missed any of our previous newsletters, visit www.cisonsite.com and click on Newsletter then Archives.

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Work Capacity Evaluations

What are They?

A Work Capacity Evaluation (WCE) is a tool that employers can use to determine an employee’s ability to safely perform the functions of a job. It is commonly used following a work injury or prolonged absence. It can also be used to determine if a new or potential employee has the ability to safely meet the physical demands of a new job.

A WCE is different than the more commonly known Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE). Both WCE’s and FCE’s are comprehensive musculoskeletal evaluations focused on documenting safe material-handling and non-material-handling abilities of individuals. However, WCE’s are job-specific and test the employee’s ability to safely perform each function of the job they are planning to return to or start.

Below is a comparison of the WCE and FCE so you can choose the right tool for your purpose:

WCE	FCE
Employee is evaluated by a therapist onsite, in his/her actual work setting.	Employee is evaluated by a therapist in a clinic.
Employee is evaluated while performing his/her specific job tasks in the real-work environment, using the actual equipment required for the job.	Employee is evaluated while performing simulated job tasks and using whatever equipment is available in the clinic.
Therapist is able to observe the actual work environment for external factors that may contribute to or hinder the employee’s successful return to work (ie: workstation set-up, type or condition of frequently used equipment). The therapist can make recommendations for improving the work environment.	Unable to perform.
In the actual work environment, the therapist is able to observe employee’s posture, body mechanics and work habits. The therapist can make on the spot, specific recommendations for improved, safe work methods thus reducing the risk of re-injury.	Work habit recommendations are based only on what is observed in the simulated work setting.
Therapist can make a specific, job-related Transitional Return to Work plan for the employee, if the WCE indicates the employee is not ready to return to work without restrictions. This facilitates a faster return to work.	Therapist can make a general Transitional Return to Work plan for the employee, if the FCE indicates the employee is not ready to return to work without restrictions. This may result in a slower return to work.
Unable to perform	FCE’s are traditionally accepted methods for determining level of disability and possible damage awards.
Employer and employee can feel confident that the onsite WCE truly depicts the employee’s ability to perform his/her specific job tasks.	Employer and employee may be uncertain about clinical FCE performance translating to job-specific performance in the workplace.

If you are interested in learning more about WCE’s and what they can do for your organization, please contact CISonsite at (866) 298-1312.

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Think Safe!

Drive Safely Work Week

While one week in October is designated as "Drive Safely Work Week" it is something that we should all practice everyday.

The theme for this year’s campaign is:

Take Charge of YOUR Driving Behavior: Reduce YOUR Crash Risk

Here are some ways to avoid High-Risk Driving Mistakes and make it to and from work safely:

Being Inattentive: Put the cell phone down, minimize eating/drinking in the car, take care when changing the stereo, constantly scan the road for potential hazards.
Following Too Closely: In good driving conditions, there should be at least 3 seconds of distance between you and the bumper of the car ahead of you. This distance needs to be increased in adverse driving conditions (dark, rain, traffic, construction, etc.).
Traveling at Improper Speeds: Speed limits aren’t “suggestions”, they are the designated safe speed to travel in good conditions.
Ignoring Traffic Signs & Signals: Stop signs mean “STOP” and a yellow light means “slow down”, not “floor it!”
Backing Up Unsafely: Take special care when backing up to ensure that there is no one or nothing behind you. Back up slowly.

Remember – the only driver you can control is YOU, so do your part and get there safely!

Adopted from the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety at www.trafficsafety.org.

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Our programs assist employers in reducing their OSHA recordables and Worker’s Compensation claims, cost and injuries. We offer a variety of customized programs to fit each employer’s unique needs.

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Our mobile therapists come directly to your facility, by treating the worker onsite. the therapist can directly observe the physical demands of the worker’s job and design a treatment program that specifically addresses these demands.

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Our case managers work with employers and insurance companies to proactively manage the care of an injured worker through the entire case management process from injury to return to gainful employment.

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