Understanding Cumulative Trauma Injuries and Their Prevention

Cumulative trauma injuries pose significant organizational challenges, often resulting in complex and costly workers’ compensation claims. Unlike acute injuries, cumulative trauma injuries develop gradually over time due to repetitive movements, making them more challenging and expensive to treat. Moreover, they can cause prolonged pain and discomfort for affected employees. Consequently, organizations must mitigate the risks associated with cumulative trauma injuries proactively.

Definition and Manifestations of Cumulative Injuries

Cumulative injuries, also known as repetitive or overuse injuries, occur when employees repeatedly perform specific movements as part of their tasks over an extended period. These repetitive tasks can lead to the deterioration of affected body parts, eventually resulting in symptoms that require medical intervention. Common symptoms include inflammation, numbness or tingling in the extremities, joint swelling, decreased range of motion, and other related issues. Notable diagnoses associated with cumulative injuries include carpal tunnel syndrome and bursitis.

Occupations Prone to Cumulative Injuries

Specific job roles are more susceptible to cumulative injuries due to the nature of their tasks. 

These include:

1. Office workers who frequently engage in typing activities.
2. Factory line workers spend hours picking or standing over a conveyor belt.
3. Operators who extensively use their hands to operate the equipment.
4. Material handlers are frequently involved in lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling tasks.

While these injuries tend to be more prevalent among older workers who have performed the same job tasks for years, they can also affect individuals with poor posture and bad ergonomics. Identifying the exact sources of these injuries can be challenging in most cases.

Workers’ Compensation Claims and Challenges

Cumulative injury claims are often intricate and expensive to handle. Due to their gradual onset, determining the exact cause of the injury becomes arduous. When employees have been with an organization for several years and performed multiple job tasks, identifying the task that caused the cumulative injury can be challenging. Symptoms may have started months or even years ago, but employees often neglect to report the pain, hoping it will subside naturally. It is typically only when the symptoms worsen or persist over a long period that they finally report the injury. Timely treatment at the onset of symptoms could have simplified and minimized the invasiveness of addressing the injury.

Alternatively, an employee newly assigned to a position may experience symptoms shortly after commencing work. In such cases, it becomes essential to determine whether the employee has a preexisting injury or degeneration resulting from previous work or activities that were exacerbated by their new job tasks. This assessment helps determine if the injury is attributable to work hardening, which refers to the soreness experienced when adapting to new body movements or increased physical labor. Suppose it is an exacerbation of a preexisting injury, and the employee’s symptoms worsened while performing tasks that contributed to it. The employer may be held responsible for the resulting workers’ compensation claim unless an alternative injury source is established.

Treatment of Cumulative Injuries

Cumulative injuries often require extended healing, leading to higher treatment costs. Treatment options for these injuries include:

1. Resting the injured extremity.
2. Applying ice to the affected area.
3. Utilizing contrast bath therapy.
4. Engaging in physical therapy.
5. Surgical intervention (in severe cases).

Cumulative injuries may necessitate time off, significantly if the employee’s current job tasks aggravate their symptoms. Furthermore, if an employee discovers during treatment that they cannot return to their previous job tasks, vocational rehabilitation benefits may be provided through the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. These benefits assist employees in finding alternative positions or receiving training for new job roles.

Mitigate Potential Risks:

To effectively mitigate the risks associated with cumulative injuries, it is crucial for your organization to proactively address job tasks that have the potential to cause such injuries. Performing ergonomic risk assessments on all job tasks is essential to identify existing hazards and develop appropriate solutions. 

Consider the following strategies:

1. Provide tools and equipment that facilitate easier completion of job tasks. Tools and Equipment specific to the job can help reduce strain and repetitive movements.
2. Offer additional training in ergonomics to employees. By educating them on proper body mechanics and ergonomically sound practices, you can minimize the occurrence of sprains, strains, and other injuries.
3. Monitor employees’ work practices to ensure they use the correct tools and equipment and work within their physical limitations. Regular observation and feedback can promote safe working habits and prevent cumulative injuries.
4. Create a wellness program that promotes employee awareness of how to care for their bodies. Wellness plans can include exercise programs, stretching routines, and education on maintaining good posture and overall health.
5. Educate employees on the importance of promptly reporting any injuries or discomfort they experience. Encourage a culture of open communication regarding health and safety concerns to ensure early intervention and timely treatment.
6. Consider modifying job tasks to reduce the repetitive nature of work. Introducing job rotations or implementing task variations can alleviate the strain on specific body parts and reduce the risk of cumulative injuries.
7. Explore the possibility of utilizing mechanical operations instead of employees for specific job tasks, where applicable and feasible. Automation or mechanization can significantly reduce repetitive movements and minimize the likelihood of cumulative injuries.

It is advisable to proactively conduct ergonomic risk assessments as a preventive measure after an injury occurs to identify potential causes and implement necessary adjustments. If your organization lacks the expertise to perform these assessments, engaging a professional ergonomics consultant can provide valuable insights and ensure comprehensive evaluations.

Conclusion

Overall, your organization must prioritize the prevention of cumulative injuries by educating employees about these risks and implementing robust workplace safety measures. By working together, you can effectively identify and address symptoms of injuries early, enabling prompt treatment and minimizing the impact on workers’ health and well-being. For more information about workers’ compensation and to discuss specific strategies tailored to your organization’s needs, please contact us at 877-658-2472.

Advantage Insurance Solutions is an Independent Insurance Agency in Denver, Colorado. We are your one-stop shop for all Worker’s Compensation Insurance, Risk Management, and Workplace Training.