Resolve to stretch to reduce MSIs
January 03, 2012
Photo credit: grendelkhan on Flickr
It’s the new year and many people are heading into 2012 resolved to end bad habits or start good ones.
If you’re looking for a great new habit for the workplace, check out Workplace Warm-up and Stretches from the FIOSA-MIOSA Safety Alliance.
It describes how pre-shift stretching can reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) by
* Increasing blood flow to muscle tissue
* Reducing muscle tension
* Developing body awareness
* Increasing ability to focus
Considering that back strain accounts for nearly 25 percent of all WorkSafeBC claims, I’d say this kind of simple stretching program is well worth the time and effort it takes to get workers (or your employer) interested.
The Safety Alliance info sheet reminds employers that “it is important to consult with employees as they often have excellent ideas for improvement. By developing the program collaboratively with workers, workers are more likely to accept other changes such as job rotation or proper lifting techniques.”
Your good intentions for 2012?
Do you have any resolutions you’d like to share? Tell me by commenting below, and I will check back and encourage you. If you’re already participating in a workplace stretching program, I’d love to hear how it’s going.
Sorry Susan, there is a lot of evidence that stretching does not help to prevent musculoskeletal injuries. It might be nice and feel good and provide good income for those who sell training, but it does not make the workplace safer.
Thanks Jos. What is the evidence you refer to? I find it hard to see how stretching wouldn’t make a difference – but I am open to hearing evidence of this. Here’s a link to a study that shows how a stretching/exercise/diet program helped to reduce injury and improve productivity in tree planters. http://selkirk.ca/research/faculty/treeplanting/