Obesity is one of the biggest issues companies face in reducing injuries, according to former OSHA director Ed Foulke, at this year's International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago. Obesity in the workplace has gone up and will continue to rise with obese teenagers entering the workforce down the line, he adds. From type 2 diabetes and hypertension to cardiovascular problems and cancer, no company will be exempt from the rising number of health issues and workers' compensation costs. If obesity remains a concern, which it looks like it will, then workers will get injured easier and more frequently, with longer recovery times, Foulke says. If businesses can figure out how to address these issues now, then they will have less problems in the future.
A Blog From the American Society of Safety Engineers