Injury prevention can put money in your pocket

Thirty five percent of reported work injuries in North Dakota are caused by poor ergonomics––the interaction and fit between the worker and his or her work environment. Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI) launched an ergonomic initiative and grant program, partnering with Medcenter One Occupational Health Clinic, to help companies reduce costs and injuries by addressing their ergonomic needs. WSI will provide financial assistance for ergonomic assessments and future equipment needs upon approval. Medcenter One Occupational Health Clinic has the certified professionals to assess your company’s ergonomic consultation needs.

Our certified ergonomic specialists will come to your job site to assess the workplace, equipment, job tasks and workers. The specialists will provide your company with recommendations to correct any identified risk factors and choose equipment in an effort to prevent injuries. Payment for ergonomic sonsultation by Medcenter One Occupational Health Clinic specialists may be 75 percent paid by WSI and 25 percent paid by employer.

Program details

The purpose of the ergonomic initiative is to reduce or eliminate cumulative-type injuries at the workplace. What typically begins as minor aches or pains, if ignored, has potential to develop into costly claims. Through the ergonomic initiative program, WSI will be offering the employers of North Dakota resources, as well as financial assistance, to address their ergonomic issues.

top

Three main components

1. Provider network

WSI has developed a network of providers throughout North Dakota, including Medcenter One Occupational Health Clinic. This network is comprised of experienced healthcare professionals, primarily occupational and physical therapists, well versed in the field of ergonomics.

Employers initiate the process by submitting an Ergonomic Initiative Employer Application for consideration. WSI will analyze claims trends (types of injuries, as well as frequency and severity) to determine if the injuries are linked to ergonomic issues. Another factor for consideration is the employee’s level of exposure to potential injuries. Upon WSI approval, the employer can contact Medcenter One Occupational Health Clinic to schedule an ergonomic assessment.

2. Financial assistance for provider services

The fee charged by providers for these services may be paid 75 percent by WSI and 25 percent paid by the employer. The amount of work and type of services performed will vary with each employer, depending on their needs. Some of the factors that will be considered will be the number of employees, number of job classifications, type of work being performed and claims history (frequency and severity). Onsite services may include:

• Onsite ergonomic assessments by Medcenter One Occupational Health Clinic in which potential or existing problems will be identified
• Ergonomic recommendations and interventions
• Assistance with the selection of appropriate ergo equipment
• Employer and employee ergo training

A key component of this program is onsite training by Medcenter One Occupational Health Clinic for employers and employees. By providing the basic tools necessary to conduct ergonomic assessments; they will be able to address some of these issues early on, before they become claims.

3. Financial assistance for ergonomic equipment purchases

As part of the ergonomic initiative, a grant program is available for those employers who have participated in this program. If the assessments conducted during the ergo initiative warrant ergonomic equipment purchases, employers may be eligible for assistance with these purchases through the ergonomic initiative grant program by WSI.

top

Program resources

WSI ergonomic initiative application pdf

WSI ergonomic initiative grant information pdf

WSI ergonomic initiative grant application pdf

WSI ergonomic initiative provider network pdf

top

Contact information

Medcenter One Occupational Health Clinic
1833 E. Bismarck Expressway
Bismarck, N.D. 58504
701.323.5222 or 866.310.5222

Medcenter One Occupational Health Clinic
1531 W. Villard St.
Dickinson, N.D. 58601
701.225.7575 or 888.323.2688

top