The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) estimates that workplace-related injuries cost businesses nearly $170 billion each year. With this kind of money at stake, it’s easy to see that maintaining your healthy workers through an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) program can have a very high return on investment! Chiropractors can play a major role in helping companies to manage their risk and improve their productivity.
An estimated 60 to 70 percent of all workplace-related injuries involve the musculoskeletal system. Of every worker’s compensation dollar spent, 90 cents of it is used for the treatment for this type of injury. The professions which have the highest rates of musculoskeletal injury are trucking and vehicle operations, manufacturing, nursing and healthcare, and other types of work involving repetitive motion or prolonged periods of sitting.
Chiropractic Care Well-documented For Its Clinical and Economic Value
Gerard Clum, D.C., is a spokesperson for the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP) who attended the 2013 American Occupational Health Conference (AOHC). He explained, “Doctors of chiropractic provide a conservative, patient-centered approach that is well-documented for its clinical and economic value. When included as members of occupational health teams, doctors of chiropractic can facilitate and drive reduced costs and better clinical outcomes, as well as improvements in safety, general health and communication.”
Many chiropractors have achieved their postgraduate training in occupational health and applied ergonomics. This makes them particularly valuable as members of an OHS team that may include other professionals such as occupational medical physicians, occupational nurses and human resources coordinators. Preventive medicine and risk management is becoming increasingly important with the implementation of the new Affordable Care Act, which will be progressively rolling out over the next 7 years.
Thousands of Dollars are Saved Through On-site Chiropractic Care
Among other things, chiropractors can provide on-site chiropractic care, including structural care, ergonomic improvements and advice on a workers’ lifestyle and nutrition. This can contribute to creating lower workers’ compensation premiums, a reduced rate of absence from work, and greater productivity, worker morale and employee retention. In addition, many chiropractors are certified to provide on-site DOT screenings and physical exams to employees, saving employers thousands of dollars.
Chiropractors are excellent at providing forms of preventive care, which helps to save businesses considerable amounts of money. But in addition to the financial benefit, employers benefit further by making their employees feel valued, which increases worker satisfaction.
Increased Employee Morale Leads To Higher Productivity
Daniel R. Nobbe, from Fiberteq LLC in Danville, IL, said “There are many benefits from developing a safety culture at your company – none of which is more valuable than employee loyalty. When employees know you care about their personal well-being and you prove that to them in their workplace, it increases morale, engagement, awareness, motivation and productivity.” And including a skilled chiropractor as part of the OHS team is part of this strategy.
For Your Health,
Dr. Mark Wolff