Ergonomics and Workers' Compensation Challenges in a Changing Workplace

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DisclaimerThis program or presentation is only a tool to assist you in managing your responsibility to maintain safe premises, practices, operations and equipment, and is not for the benefit of any other party. The program or presentation does not cover all possible hazardous conditions or unsafe acts that may exist, and does not constitute legal advice. For decisions regarding use of the practices suggested by this program or presentation, follow the advice of your own legal counsel. Travelers disclaims all forms of warranties whatsoever, without limitation. Implementation of any practices suggested by this program or presentation is at your sole discretion, and Travelers or its affiliates shall not be liable to any party for any damages whatsoever arising out of, or in connection with, the information provided or its use. This material does not amend, or otherwise affect, the provisions or coverages of any insurance policy or bond issued by Travelers, nor is it a representation that coverage does or does not exist for any particular claim or loss under any such policy or bond. Coverage depends on the facts and circumstances involved in the claim or loss, all applicable policy or bond provisions, and any applicable law.

Woody Dwyer, MS, CPE2nd Vice President – Workers Compensation

Travelers Insurance – Risk Controlwdwyer@travelers.com

LinkedIn.com/in/woodydwyer

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OSHA ActDecember 29, 1970

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1970

14,000

2015

4,400

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So we areall set?

Musculoskeletal disorders accounted for 31% of the total cases for all workers.

The leading nature of injury or illness was sprains, strains, or tears accounting for 37% of total cases

Bureau of Labor Statistics 2015

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Aging Workforce

Ret

aini

ng T

alen

t

Hiring Talent

Chronic C

onditions HealthWellness

New Employees

Co-morbiditiesM

edical Cost InflationHealthcare Costs

Employee Engagement

Shrinking Labor Pool

Factors influencing workers compensation

Travelers Business Risk Index

Emerging Trends

Workforce

Workplace

Medical

Chronic Pain

Opioids

Technology

Wearables

Exoskeletons

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Changing Workforce

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10,000workers turn 65 years old every day for

the next 17 years

Changing Workforce

Source: Toossi, M. (December, 2013). Labor force projections to 2022. Monthly Labor Review, pp. 1-28.

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-4

-2

0

2

4

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16 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65 to 74 75+

% Change Between 2012 and 2022

Projected Change in U.S. Civilian Workforce

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Is this a millennial training an experienced worker?

Or an experienced worker training a millennial?

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Changing Workforce

28%of injured workers have

less than one year on the job

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Changing Health

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CDC: Prevalence of Self-Reported ObesityAmong U.S. Adults by State and Territory, 2015

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50%of the population has at least one chronic

condition

25%of the population has

more than one chronic condition

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2xthe cost of treatment

with one chronic condition

5xthe cost of treatment

with two or more chronic conditions

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Changing Cost of

Medical

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1989, 2011 and 2019: NCCI Industry Results2015: Travelers 2016 Calendar Year Results

Indemnity53%

Medical47% Indemnity

41%

Medical59% Indemnity

33%

Medical67%

1989 2011 2019 Estimate

Medical63%

Indemnity37%

2015

52% Medical 11% Pharmacy

Medical versus Indemnity

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100MAmericans with

chronic pain; more than diabetes, cancer and stroke combined

$635B annual cost to the U.S. economy

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+40%the prevalence of

chronic pain among older adults

90% of chronic pain cases involve opioids

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46 people in the U.S. die every day of a prescription

overdose

1:150for every opioid-related death, there are more than 150 people who abuse or are opioid

dependent

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Prevention and

Mitigation:

Pre-loss & Post-loss Strategies

Travelers Workforce AdvantageSM

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Wearable Technology

Emerging Safety and Ergonomic Applications

What is a wearable?

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A device that is worn on the body that collects data about you or your environment.

It provides feedback to you, others, or devices that allows for decision-making or changes in behavior.

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Sensors Microprocessors Transmitters

Three technologies that make wearable devices ‘smart.’

Pressure sensors- strain gauge, piezoelectric

Location/proximity sensors- GPS, RFID

Contaminant sensors- IR sensor, chemiresistor

Radiation sensors- Photodiode sensor

Audio sensors- Microphone

Forcesensors- Force sensing resistor

Moisture sensors- Humistor, hygrometer

Thermal sensors- Thermistor, thermocouple

Physiological sensors- EEG, EKG, oximeter, EMG

Motion sensors- Accelerometer, gyroscope

Light sensors- Phototransistors, photovoltaic

Sensors

Motorola HandsFree Imager

HAL

DuoFertility

PavlokPulse

T. Jacket

Heddoko

Samsung WeltUltra Vis

TALOS

The World of

Wearables

Lumbar Motion Monitor (LMM)

Applications: Clinical and industrial

Tracks 3-D motion of the lumbar spine

• 8 EMG dry electrodes• Compression Fit• MVC• Accelerometer• Gyroscope• ECG• Bluetooth

Digitized Clothing

• 8 EMG dry electrodes• Compression Fit• %MVC• Accelerometer• Bluetooth

Athos Smart Pants

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Why it matters…

Proximity devices at work

What if we prevent 5%, 10%, 20%

Will it work?

“Lives could be saved using the proximity warning and alert technology.”

Georgia Tech

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What else can we learn from these devices?

Considerations for WearablesPrivacy

SecurityDevice Risks

Data StorageHealth Effects

IT SupportEmployee morale

ProductivityPolicies & Procedures

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Exoskeletons

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Military Industrial Medical

• Power supply• Reproducibility & price• Standards & test methods• Joint flexibility• Power control & manipulation• Adaptation to user• Travel• Human error• Falling• System failure• Waterproofing

Potential obstacles in

implementation

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Julia’s Story

Research

Practice

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Supporting the

Development of the Future Ergonomist

LookingAhead

Are you ready?

Ergonomics and Workers' Compensation Challenges in a Changing Workplace

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Woody Dwyer, MS, CPE2nd Vice President – Workers Compensation

Travelers Insurance – Risk Control

wdwyer@travelers.comLinkedIn.com/in/woodydwyer

Thank you