PubMed · 9455297
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J Waters. Reducing the risks from lifting.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9455297/
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STUDY DESIGN: The data in this study were gathered retrospectively after the progress of program development in terms of employee outcomes within an organization. This design characterizes a retrospective longitudinal study. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether prework functional screens are effective in lowering the incidence of work-related back sprains or strains, related medical costs, and lost work days within an organization. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal injuries are considered the leading cause of disability for people during their working years. Back injuries are the most common reason for workers' decreased work capacity and reduced leisure time. The increased rate of injury and escalating workers' compensation costs are are a major force motivating companies to implement a tool that can be effective in lowering back sprain or strain injuries and containing their workers' compensation costs. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports a major objective of increasing the number of companies offering back injury prevention programs by the year 2000. METHODS: The study follows the effects realized when a medical center institutes close case management, early return to work policies, and prework functional screens in three stages over the course of 10.5 years. RESULTS: The severity of back sprains or strains, related medical costs, and lost work days were significantly lower with the use of prework functional screens on all new employees hired into physically laborious jobs. CONCLUSIONS: This study offers employers a proven effective tool that can be used to help lower the severity of on-the-job back sprains or strains, resulting medical costs, and lost work days in their organization.
BACKGROUND: High rates of work-related injuries are seen among health care workers involved in lifting and transferring patients. We studied the effects of a participatory worker-management ergonomics team among hospital orderlies. METHODS: This prospective intervention trial examined work injuries and other outcomes before and after the intervention, with other hospital employees used as a concurrent control. All orderlies in a 1,200-bed urban hospital were studied using passively collected data (mean employment during study period 100-110 orderlies); 67 orderlies (preintervention) and 88 orderlies (postintervention) also completed a questionnaire. The intervention was the formation of a participatory ergonomics team with three orderlies, one supervisor, and technical advisors. This team designed and implemented changes in training and work practices. RESULTS: The 2-year postintervention period was marked by decreased risks of work injury (RR = 0.50, 95% CI 0.35-0.72), lost time injury (RR = 0.26, 95% CI 0.14-0.48), and injury with three or more days of time loss (RR = 0.19, 95% CI 0.07-0.53). Total lost days declined from 136.2 to 23.0 annually per 100 full-time worker equivalents (FTE). Annual workers' compensation costs declined from $237/FTE to $139/FTE. The proportion of workers with musculoskeletal symptoms declined and there were statistically significant improvements in job satisfaction, perceived psychosocial stressors, and social support among the orderlies. CONCLUSION: Substantial improvements in health and safety were seen following implementation of a participatory ergonomics program.
Chronic spinal subdural haematoma is a uncommon. We describe the CT and MRI appearances of chronic spinal and intracranial subdural haematomas following minor trauma. The aetiology, pathogenesis and differential diagnosis are discussed.