The Centre for Working Hands is committed to helping businesses and their employees minimize the risks of job-related injuries. To achieve this goal, we've developed an Injury Prevention Team that goes on-site to help businesses assess their environments and then identify and reduce risk factors.

Solutions for a Growing Problem
In recent years, businesses have been increasingly plagued by employee injuries related to carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis and other cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) – injuries that represent the fastest-growing occupational illness in the nation today. Such injuries — many of which are preventable — cost American industry billions of dollars in lost work days and medical claims. These concerns have spurred OSHA on toward the development of an ergonomic standard for businesses.*

The Centre’s Injury Prevention Team helps companies create a plan that reduces both the risks and costs of job-related injuries. Our team members teach principles to manage injuries, claims and cost in a manner that motivates both management and workers to accept their unique responsibilities for injury avoidance.

Proven Results
The Centre uses a nationally recognized injury prevention program called IMPACC (Injury Management Prevention And Cost Containment), which was developed by therapists specializing in work injury prevention. As a provider of this program, The Centre for Working Hands employs a series of highly effective prevention strategies. Among the nearly 400 workplaces that have used it, the IMPACC program has resulted in a 60 to 70 percent average reduction in lost-time claims. With the resulting improvements in productivity, quality and employee attitude, the return on investment can be dramatic.

Therapists Lead the Way
Most ergonomics consultants in the U.S. are engineers who rely primarily on an engineering approach to workplace redesign. In Europe and Australia, however, ergonomics is managed largely by physical and occupational therapists. Such therapists go beyond the narrow engineering focus to include additional strategies that improve work tolerance, decrease tissue damage, and increase repair of wear damage to working tissues.

In addition, therapists understand that workplace redesign itself does not address other essential risk factors. Work habits, fitness and attitudes are commonly much bigger problems. The Centre uses work design ergonomics standards as well as preventive stretching, posture relief tactics, task rotation, sit-stand options, alternative materials handling techniques, and training in personal work habits and self-care of the body. These options offer advantages far beyond the limitations of workplace redesign.

Ergonomics Consulting
In addition to our structured educational programs and work risk analyses, The Centre offers consultation on a variety of ergonomic issues to help promote your company's ongoing efforts. Our extended services include:

• Serving as adjunct members of your company’s ergonomic team, to assist in troubleshooting and/or provide continuing education for the team.
• Evaluating a specific work situation for an employee returning to work after an injury.
• Evaluating a workstation for an employee beginning to experience discomfort or symptoms, in order to help prevent an injury from occurring or becoming more serious.
• Assisting in evaluating furniture and equipment choices prior to purchase, thereby preventing injuries and avoiding replacement or retooling costs.
• Presenting brief review sessions for groups that have been actively involved in The Centre’s injury prevention program.

* IAM (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) Journal, Spring 1999

When An Injury Strikes
When an on-the-job injury does strike, you want your employee to receive the best care available to ensure as complete a recovery as possible. It’s also important that there be a timely return to work, not only for the sake of the business, but for the employee’s mental and emotional well-being, too.

As your partner in injury prevention and treatment, The Centre is committed to balancing the need for rapid return to the workplace with achieving the best outcome possible.

Working Hand in Hand
The Centre for Working Hands has served numerous manufacturers and business in northern Indiana and southwest Michiana, as well as patients of emergency room and family practice physicians. We encourage you to visit our office. Our reconstructive surgery staff will give you a tour and you’ll have the opportunity to speak with our surgeons and therapists.

We also would welcome the opportunity to visit your facility and provide additional details on our services and programs. Give us a call at 800-909-2992 and let us show you how much more effective and efficient injury treatment can be when you partner with The Centre.

Click here for more information on The Centre for Working Hands’ Injury Prevention Team. The Centre is committed to helping businesses and their employees in Elkhart and South Bend, Indiana, Michiana and the Southern Michigan area.

800.909.2992 - Email Us