Occupational Health Management Archives – September 1, 2005
September 1, 2005
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Light duty for workers hurt off-duty: Cost of leave vs. cost to bring back
Companies look at workers hurt off the job differently Accommodating employees returning to the job after a work-related injury is a fairly well-accepted practice at most workplaces, with light-duty or alternate duty placements made available as the job and the employees abilities permit. -
Ergonomics, job fit can affect aging workers
Small steps can improve safety Americas work force today is more mature than it used to be. The median age is greater, workers are living longer, and they are working to an older age. Being on the job at 65 or older puts different stresses on the body than it does at 45, making it more important that the work fits the worker. -
Taking off weight takes pressure off knees, feet
Moderate weight loss can make big difference People who find they are experiencing knee, ankle, and foot pain might find better relief in a low-fat diet than in pain relievers. -
Selling occ-health means selling management
Take cues from marketing staff When you want your employer to let you introduce a new program, dont approach the management team as an occupational health nurse take a page from the marketing department and approach management as a salesperson. -
Don’t take chances by being unprotected
Employers liability insurance may not be enough When it comes to being sued, occupational health nurses typically are not targeted for litigation at the same rate as their peers in obstetrics, surgery, and anesthesia, but that doesnt mean they shouldnt carry professional liability, or malpractice, insurance. -
Best practices cut workers’ comp costs
Washington program provides resources A pilot project to determine if using occupa-tional medicine best practices results in injured workers recovering and getting back to work more quickly has saved employers in the state of Washington almost $6 million in a single year. -
New guidelines for wearing contacts around chemicals
NIOSH updates recommendations In the wake of new medical guidelines for contact lens use in industrial settings, the National Insti-tute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has issued new recommendations for safe use of contact lenses in chemical environments.