Kentucky Crushed Stone Association: 2018 Safety & Education Seminar The Industrial Athlete Scott Ratliff, PE Central Mine Services, Inc. February 21st, 2018
What is an Athlete? An athlete is a person who participates in one or more sports that involve physical strength, agility or endurance.
What is an Athlete? THEY ARE AND SO ARE THEY
The Industrial Athlete Industrial athletes are workers who have physically demanding jobs that require physical strength, agility, and endurance. Common physically demanding tasks performed by the industrial athlete may include lifting, climbing, pushing, pulling, carrying and twisting.
Occupational Most Common Sports Injuries
Not Enough Focus on Health Employers are actually faced with an increasingly "deconditioned" workforce: Average employee base: 9% have diabetes 17% smoke 50% are sedentary 63% are classified as overweight (BMI of 25 29.9) or obese (BMI>30) Sources: NHI Survey 2014 and Chosewood, L. Casey (July 19, 2012). "CDC - NIOSH Science Blog - Safer and Healthier at Any Age: Strategies for an Aging Workforce". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Retrieved 2012-07-25.
Duke University Study
Duke University Study 10,000 Duke University employees from throughout their operations completed Health Risk Assessments Findings employee Body Mass Index (BMI) is the best indicator of work-related claims frequency and severity. Source: Obesity and workers' compensation: results from the Duke Health and Safety Surveillance System.
Duke University Study Workers Compensation Claims/100 FTE Source: Obesity and workers' compensation: results from the Duke Health and Safety Surveillance System.
Duke University Study Lost Work Days/100 FTE Source: Obesity and workers' compensation: results from the Duke Health and Safety Surveillance System.
Duke University Study Medical Claims Cost/100 FTEs Source: Obesity and workers' compensation: results from the Duke Health and Safety Surveillance System.
Duke University Study Indemnity Claims Cost/100 FTEs Source: Obesity and workers' compensation: results from the Duke Health and Safety Surveillance System.
Duke University Study Conclusions Maintaining healthy weight not only is important to workers but should also be a high priority for employers. In addition to workplace safety programs, work-based programs targeting healthy eating and physical activity should also be developed and evaluated. Source: Obesity and workers' compensation: results from the Duke Health and Safety Surveillance System.
Injury Prevention Strategies for Athletes 1. Preventative Care 2. Warm-up and Stretch 3. Listen to Your Body 4. Physical Conditioning
1. Preventative Care Incorporate routine health care that includes screenings, services and counseling to help prevent illness, disease or other health problems. Health education Health Risk Assessments (HRA) Biometric Screening Smoking Cessation Program
2. Always Warm-up and Stretch
Benefits of Stretching Studies have shown that stretching: Increases flexibility Improves range of motion Promotes correct form and functions Results in decreased injuries It is a simple warm-up strategy used for years by athletes.
Elements to Consider Leadership buy-in and support A thoughtfully developed and task-focused stretching program Frontline supervisor acceptance and reinforcement Incorporate as a supplement to a comprehensive workplace ergonomic program
3. Listen to Your Body Working through pain can cause damage that keeps you on the bench longer. Address symptoms: Evaluation Treatment Job modification Ergonomic assessment
Importance of Sleep Sleep plays an important role in your physical health and is involved in healing and repair of your heart and blood vessels. Sleep deficiency also increases the risk of obesity. Sleep supports healthy growth, development, and recovery. Your immune system relies on sleep to stay healthy. Sleep deprivation induces significant reductions in performance and alertness. Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sdd/why
Fatigue Management Shift workers are especially prone to sleep disturbances, sleep deprivation and misalignment of the sleep-wake cycle, all of which lead to sleepiness, fatigue and associated performance deficits. Consider number of consecutive shifts, shift length and rest periods. Incorporate planned breaks throughout each shift. Sleep Assessment & Evaluation Encourage employees to self-identify when experiencing fatigue symptoms.
4. Physical Conditioning The key to achieving and maintaining a healthy physical condition is a lifestyle that includes: Proper nutrition Regular physical activity
Health Membership Reimbursements Health Challenges 4. Physical Conditioning Fitness Trackers (Fitbit) Healthy Lunches/Snacks Incentives
Programs Targeting Health Improvement Reduce risk of work-related injury Lower medical treatment costs Reduce indemnity costs Improve productivity Reduce absenteeism
The End Questions? 25