How multiple interventions reduced injuries and costs in one plant.

Preventing work place injuries requires more than ergonomically correct work stations. In 1999, flexible plastic packaging producer, Pliant Corporation of Macedon, NY, initiated the presence of an onsite Physical Therapist to further efforts in making work stations safe and to develop a comprehensive approach in preventing and managing worker injuries. The process started with analysis of the functional demands of the work performed, elimination of ergonomic stressors, and development of daily stretching programs for employees to perform. In the second and third year of the program, objective functional job descriptions and minimum strength criteria were created as well as work task specific post-offer pre-work screens. This comprehensive approach has reduced the total number of OSHA recordable injuries, reduced the overall incident rate and assisted in reducing turnover.