Workplace injuries on decline in industry

Employer and employee education, along with exercising pre-emptive measures, are credited for a decline in work-related injuries, illness and fatalities in Louisiana during the past decade.

According to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, during 2010 the Bayou State reached its lowest level of health-related incidents on the job since the Occupational Safety and Health Administration revised its record keeping rules in 2002.

An OSHA survey found that non-fatal workplace injuries in Louisiana dropped to 2.7 per 100 fulltime workers during 2010, which was down from the grade of 2.8 per 100 listed one year earlier.

Louisiana is now tied with Texas and New York at fourth in the nation for having safe workplaces.

“What we are seeing is that companies are doing a better job of training to make sure people fully understand the environment they are working in, as well as the right way to perform certain physical work tasks,” ISR Physical Therapy Partner Trevor Bardarson said.

The physical therapist noted that many companies, particularly in industrial settings, have adopted a functional job description, which gives the employee full knowledge of what is expected in the execution of a specific role. ISR is one of the sources employers utilize to conduct pre-employment physical screenings. The firm also provides rehabilitative services after an incident has occurred.

“Some employers are doing better at letting perspective employees know what the expectations are,” Bardarson said. “So when the employee goes to be hired they get a medical screening and a functional screening where the individual will demonstrate that they can perform those tasks such as lifting a certain amount of weight, pushing or pulling or walking stairs.”

Onsite training of business owners and employees has also been an element Bardarson said has helped employers prevent worker injury. “We’ve done that for companies such as Chevron, BP, Schlumberger and Halliburton,” he said.

“Businesses that cultivate a workplace culture of safety in Louisiana help to protect their workers, reduce risk and maximize productivity,” Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Curt Eysink said. “Workplace safety plays a big part in lowering costs related to worker’s compensation claims, which translated into lower [insurance] premiums for Louisiana employers.”

There were approximately 11,400 cases that required employees to take time off work in 2010. Of that number more than 33 percent were listed as having been sprains to the back, chest, shoulder, abdomen or pelvis. Physical therapists site muscular strain and spinal problems as the most common workplace injuries.

Eysink said an increase in workplace safety and health inspections combined with educational resources has helped reduce workers compensation claims in the state.

Workplace fatalities in Louisiana dropped from 140 in 2009 to 104 in 2010. Businesses with the most fatalities included industrial trade, transportation and utilities, natural resources and mining and construction.