Program Description
When AWS started on-site in January 2013, the Certified Early Intervention Specialist (CEIS) established an injury reporting system to help distinguish between “areas of pain” and “areas of tightness” in order to reveal chronic issues. This would involve individual, one-on-one conversations that allows the employee to discuss specific issues from the past and present. During this time, the employee colors in an anatomy picture to explain pain for the CEIS to evaluate. This reporting system helps the CEIS provide education on the body’s kinetic chain and integrate on-site therapeutic interventions. The form of “coloring your pain” helps to start conversations about job coaching, stretching benefits, and wellness changes. To keep employees accountable, the CEIS follows up with each person and continues to train them on various solutions. This department specific data will help support a new stretching program with a combination of static and dynamic exercises.
Facility Demographics
2 shifts, 12 hours each (6:00am-6:00pm; 6:00pm-6:00am)4 teams (Nights 1, Nights 2, Days 1, Days 2)Non-union372 employees, excluding temporary workers and contractorsManufacturing of baby formula
AWS Objectives
Educate employees on the abilities of the CEIS to help prevent existing issuesFind permanent solutions to help decrease comorbidity, specifically in the aging workforceDevelop a stretching program from the “coloring your pain” data that will prevent aches and painsAssess stretching programs’ effectiveness with employees on a quarterly basis during pre-shift meeting
Results Achieved
Reduced WC claims from $9,728 in 2013 to $1,809 in 2016Recordables have declined from an average of 7 from 2013-2015 to 5 in 2016DART Rate reduced from 0.86 in 2015 to 0.80 in 2016April-October 2016 ROI ratio of 5:1Working with supervisors to make ergonomic changes based on pain patterns charted by the departmentsIdentified foot problems are an issue for over 90% of employees. Resolutions are being developed to help employees get proper footwear for 12 hour shifts on various surfaces.
