Case study: Safety updates transform a high-risk worksite

One of our manufacturing customers consistently reported a high number of onsite injuries and workers compensation claims. The high costs spurned our risk management team to conduct a safety visit at one of its New York sites. The goal of this survey was to identify ergonomic unsafe behaviors, such as repetitive motions and awkward movements that can lead to injuries.

We identified the jobs onsite that are at risk for injury and focused on three common causes: “Strain and Sprain,” “Strike Against,” and “Slip and Falls.” The ergonomic survey was done in 2020 and found issues as diverse as:

• Workers reaching, bending, and over-extending themselves to access equipment
• Workers regularly using awkward hand and wrist positions to use tools
• Anti-fatigue mats in need of replacing or repositioning
• A need for training on proper lifting techniques

With the survey in hand, we were able to work with the customer to make big and small changes on site.