At ASSE’s Safety 2014 in June, Fred Kohanna, corporate medical director for AllOne Health Resources, will present How does Obesity Impact Safety in the Workplace? During this session, Kohanna will discuss the growing epidemic of obesity in the U.S. and its effect on workplace safety. He will introduce seven areas in which obesity statistically increases worker risks and discuss prevention strategies to mitigate those risks.
Currently, more than one-third of the U.S. population is obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and unlike some hazards, obesity is not limited to specific industries. Obesity is a growing epidemic that can and does impact every company, says Kohanna.
Workers with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above face a higher risk of on-the-job fatigue, heat-related illness, slips and falls, confined-space entry hazards, hand-arm vibration syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome.
In addition, obese workers may face difficulty finding personal protective equipment (PPE). As Kohanna explains, some PPE is not designed to fit overweight/obese workers, leaving these workers at higher risk of injury.
Excess weight can also impact employees’ work performance. Studies show obese workers are more likely to take sick leave and be less productive throughout the day, according to the CDC. Due to the many adverse health effects associated with obesity, recovery from personal injury or illnesses may take an extended period of time leading to higher medical expenses.
“One of the challenges and one of the motivations for companies to address obesity is that their health care costs are much higher if they have a large proportion of obese employees both on the workers compensation insurance side and on the non-work-related medical cost in terms of group health insurance, short-term disability and long-term disability costs,” he says.
Addressing obesity through wellness programs is in the best interest of the entire company, Kohanna says. "In addition to improving the quality of life for individuals suffering from obesity, encouraging weigh lost can reduce the risk for some very negative health outcomes such as heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and other health effects such as cancer."
Programs designed to assist employees in making healthy lifestyle choices will benefit the organization, Kohanna says, but in order for it to be a successful initiative, companies must make it a priority and commit adequate resources and funding.
Session attendees will learn the key components to consider when building an obesity prevention program that targets healthful eating and physical activity as part of a strategy to make workplaces healthier and safer.
For more information on how obesity impacts safety and health in the workplace, be sure to check out Kohanna’s session at Safety 2014.