\n Dr. Letitia Heshmat is the founder and president of Injuries incurring at your workplace may \n The answer may not be as hard as you think \u2014 prevention. Yes, we \n What Franklin noted is that it\u2019s much smarter, and cheaper, to \n And, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety \n Indirect costs, which many businesses don\u2019t often take into \n With prevention measures in place, these unfortunate statistics \n Instead of being reactive with your health care services after an <\/p>\n \n As we head into a possible recession, it is important to \n Companies that invest in injury prevention programs to bolster \n It takes real foresight to understand that, in the long run, the \n Dr. Letitia Heshmat is the founder and president of \n \u2013\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \n Stay up to date on business trends in the Capital![\"\"](\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/sites\/main\/files\/imagecache\/lightbox\/main-images\/letitia_headshot_circle_lr-01.png\" "\\"Dr.")
<\/a>
\n Roseville-based Work Health Solutions. (Photo courtesy of Dr.
\n Letitia Heshmat)\n<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n seem inevitable, and to a certain degree this is true. But
\n analyzing the number of injuries that occur and the severity of
\n those injuries should also matter to a company that prioritizes
\n meeting deadlines and staying on track in a competitive
\n environment. So how should a company plan to minimize the
\n frequency and intensity of injuries on the job?\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n have all heard the saying from Benjamin Franklin \u2014 \u201cAn ounce of
\n prevention is worth a pound of cure.\u201d These are amazing words of
\n wisdom from someone in the 1700s that still hold true today,
\n especially in the workplace.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n\n The staggering statistics
\n<\/h3>\n
\n prevent something from happening rather than having to fix it
\n once it has occurred. It\u2019s probably safe to assume that Franklin
\n did not realize how much, in the future, American businesses
\n would be spending to help injured employees and could not have
\n even imagined what that amount equals in today\u2019s economy. For
\n instance, The Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index 2020 reports
\n that serious, nonfatal workplace injuries are costing U.S.
\n businesses more than $1 billion dollars each week.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n & Health, a recent economic analysis suggested that traumatic
\n occupational deaths and injuries cost the nation $192 billion
\n annually, taking into account both\u00a0direct medical costs and
\n indirect costs.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n consideration, can also be devastating. According to OSHA, these
\n include: training replacement employees, accident investigation
\n and implementation of corrective measures, lost productivity,
\n repairs of damaged equipment and property, and costs associated
\n with lower employee morale and absenteeism. Add to that list the
\n cost of buying replacement equipment if damages cannot be
\n repaired. Other hidden costs are recruiting and providing
\n benefits for replacement workers, and the fact that the company
\n is now paying twice the benefit costs for one position.\n<\/p>\n\n Prevention programs are the key\u00a0
\n<\/h3>\n
\n can be changed. Within these staggering numbers are three of the
\n top 10 injury causes \u2014 handling objects, working in awkward
\n positions and repetitive motions involving microtasks. These
\n injuries could all be lessened\u00a0by implementing an injury
\n prevention program designed by analyzing work environments to
\n determine changes that can be made to avoid the most common
\n injuries likely to occur in your workplace, providing education
\n about proper ergonomics, and offering stretching and
\n strength-building exercises.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n injury occurs, employers can potentially avoid the injury
\n altogether with injury prevention specialists who are certified
\n athletic trainers that use the sports medicine model of care
\n predicated on prevention and early intervention.\n<\/p>\n\n Investing in safety can equal big savings
\n<\/h3>\n
\n understand this concept as most employers\u2019 first instinct will be
\n to cut costs on safety protocols. But rest assured, cutting back
\n on these initiatives can and will lead to higher costs. There can
\n also be a significant loss of employee confidence in your ability
\n to keep them safe, and once employees doubt if you care about
\n their well-being, it is a tough road trying to rebuild that
\n trust.\n<\/p>\n
\n workplace safety and health can expect to reduce fatalities,
\n injuries and illnesses; lower medical expenses and workers\u2019
\n compensation costs; and make significant improvements in
\n productivity and financial performance. In fact, one study
\n estimates that for every dollar spent on safety protocols in the
\n workplace,\u00a0injury prevention returns can range anywhere from
\n $2 to $6. Who wouldn\u2019t gladly spend $1 now to ultimately save up
\n to $6? But unfortunately, when faced with a recession, it is hard
\n to fully comprehend the long-term benefits of prevention as many
\n employers will be tempted to simply cut safety measures to
\n experience an immediate reduction in expenses.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n cost of injury prevention is far less than the cost of an
\n injury.\u00a0Here is another old saying that is relevant \u2014 \u201cPenny
\n wise and pound foolish.\u201d Neglecting to implement prevention
\n measures may save a few pennies now, but it can cost you plenty
\n of pounds later.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n Roseville-based Work Health Solutions, providers of
\n concierge-style occupational medicine for large-scale employers
\n nationwide. She has nearly two decades of health care industry
\n experience and previously served as director of the occupational
\n health clinic at Stanford University.<\/em>\n<\/p>\n
\n Region and beyond: Subscribe to the
\n Comstock\u2019s newsletter today<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>\n<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n