Articles

Cake decorating sounds like a fairly risk-free occupation. But when cakes sit on a flat surface, the posture workers use can cause upper neck, shoulder and forearm problems, according to Carisa Harris, PT, PhD, CIE. Harris is director of research and development for PreCare Inc., which provides injury prevention and treatment in the workplace.

A PreCare therapist working at a commercial bakery noticed its plastic “register closed” signs sat at the perfect angle to prop up cakes; she put a cake on one and found the change in work surface angle greatly improved the comfort of workers and reduced physical problems. “Little things like this can make a big difference,” Harris said, and such on-site observations by physical therapists trained in injury prevention are key to the company’s model.

Webinar overview:

The most collectively expensive types of workers' compensation claims are musculoskeletal strains and sprains. They are also the most frequent types of claims which calculates into the number one cost driver in workers' compensation. If your organization has sprains and strains or an aging work force, this session is tailor made for you.

Maddy’s second part to her column on injury prevention, including how Costco and Fairmont Hotels have succeeded against the disability tsunami where others fail.

By Maddy Bowling

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF SELF-INSURERS