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The Effect of a Workplace-Based Early Intervention Program on Work-Related Musculoskeletal Compensation Outcomes at a Poultry Meat Processing Plant

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Abstract

Introduction The aim of this study is to determine whether a workplace-based early intervention injury prevention program reduces work-related musculoskeletal compensation outcomes in poultry meat processing workers. Methods A poultry meatworks in Queensland, Australia implemented an onsite early intervention which included immediate reporting and triage, reassurance, multidisciplinary participatory consultation, workplace modifica tion and onsite physiotherapy. Secondary pre-post analyses of the meatworks’ compensation data over 4 years were performed, with the intervention commencing 2 years into the study period. Outcome measures included rate of claims, costs per claim and work days absent at an individual claim level. Where possible, similar analyses were performed on data for Queensland’s poultry meat processing industry (excluding the meatworks used in this study). Results At the intervention meatworks, in the post intervention period an 18 % reduction in claims per 1 million working hours (p = 0.017) was observed. Generalized linear modelling revealed a significant reduction in average costs per claim of $831 (OR 0.74; 95 % CI 0.59–0.93; p = 0.009). Median days absent was reduced by 37 % (p = 0.024). For the poultry meat processing industry over the same period, generalized linear modelling revealed no significant change in average costs per claim (OR 1.02; 95 % CI 0.76–1.36; p = 0.91). Median days absent was unchanged (p = 0.93). Conclusion The introduction of an onsite, workplace-based early intervention injury prevention program demonstrated positive effects on compensation outcomes for work-related musculoskeletal disorders in poultry meat processing workers. Prospective studies are needed to confirm the findings of the present study.

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Notes

  1. A serious injury claim is defined as death, permanent incapacity or temporary incapacity with greater than 1 week away from work.

  2. In Queensland, an injury is defined as “…a personal injury arising out of, or in the course of, employment if the employment is a significant contributing factor…” S32 (1a) and an event is defined as “…anything that results in injury, including a latent onset injury, to a worker…” 31 (1) (Queensland Government, 2003).

Abbreviations

WMSD:

Work-related musculoskeletal disorder

IPP:

Injury prevention program

RTW:

Return to work

TLC:

Time lost claim

MEC:

Medical expense claim

RRTWC:

Rehabilitation and return to work co-ordinator

OHS:

Occupational health and safety

IPT:

Injury prevention team

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the Office of Fair and Safe Work Queensland (Formerly known as Q-Comp and the Workers’ Compensation Regulator) for their contribution of data for analysis. The authors would also like to acknowledge the assistance and cooperation of the meatworks where the intervention was implemented. The meatworks requested their anonymity for the purpose of this study and for future reference.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Physiotherapy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia

    Michael Donovan & Venerina Johnston

  2. School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia

    Asaduzzaman Khan

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  1. Michael Donovan
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Correspondence to Michael Donovan.

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Conflict of interest

The corresponding author (MD) was supported by a research scholarship from the Office of Fair and Safe Work Queensland; however, the funding organization had no role in selecting the research project. MD was contracted as an onsite physiotherapist at the P1 meatworks throughout the whole study period. The remaining authors declared no conflict of interest.

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Donovan, M., Khan, A. & Johnston, V. The Effect of a Workplace-Based Early Intervention Program on Work-Related Musculoskeletal Compensation Outcomes at a Poultry Meat Processing Plant. J Occup Rehabil 27, 24–34 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-016-9628-3

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