Workplace Wellness Programs
About Workplace Wellness Programs
Workplace wellness programs are often viewed as an incentive or employee benefit, rather than a strategic imperative. While these programs are implemented to increase satisfaction of employees by encouraging health and wellness, they have been proven to drive productivity and growth from a more engaged and focused workforce. OccuMed of New England has designed various workplace wellness programs that have successfully increased employee attendance and performance while decreasing worker’s compensation cost caused by injuries or medical problems from unhealthy lifestyle choices.
OccuMed has affiliated with fitness centers, snack delivery services, nutrition experts, public health professionals, licensed healthcare professionals, and physicians to provide your company with the most successful workplace wellness programs. Our staff is dedicated to designing programs tailored to meet individual employee needs, as well as company-wide goals.
Health Screening
Our experts at OccuMed have developed a unique test that may detect potential health disorders and diseases in persons in reasonably good health. Results are immediate and our screenings are fully HIPAA compliant. Our comprehensive evaluation of clinical tests, medical history, and lifestyle practices identify areas for improvement and offer individuals a pathway to better health.
Lunch & Learn Talks
As an alternative to formal training and education initiatives, supplement an extended lunch break of 1 hour for small groups of employees to receive training while in the relaxation of their own workplace. Not only are Lunch and Learn Programs time effective, but employees do not have to offer up personal time. Another incentive of this style training is employees receive free lunch!
Nutrition & Fitness Guidance
With staggeringly high rates of obesity in the United States, there has been a correlated increase in Heart Disease, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Depression, Stroke, and even Cancer. Current work environments tend to contribute to the obesity trend; lack of physical activity, prolonged sitting, high levels of job stress, monotony and unhealthy food choices or accessibility. Unfortunately, obesity is linked to substantially increased rates of absenteeism and decreased presenteeism. Obese workers take more sick days, have longer sick leaves and incur greater productivity losses than do non-obese workers. Obesity also increases workers’ compensation expenses.
It has been proven that nutrition and fitness guidance programs increase satisfaction and productivity of employees. These programs, such as wellness challenges, have shown to increase team morale and decrease stress. Health coaching, tailored nutrition plans, healthy snack options, and discounted gym memberships have been linked to successful programs.
Smoking Cessation
By implementing a smoking cessation program, employers can save up to $6,000 per employee who quits smoking per year. Not only can these programs save employers money, it will reduce the rate of absenteeism from health-related issues associated with smoking and “smoke breaks.” Also, you may notice a decrease in co-worker complaints from the elimination or minimization of second-hand smoke.
Ergonomics Awareness
Ergonomics is the science of designing work tasks to fit the worker, keeping in mind the capabilities and limitations of the human body. An effective ergonomic improvement process identifies and eliminates any deterrent to maximum work capacity, and limits worker fatigue and discomfort while also improving process efficiency and productivity. Workplace ergonomics protects the health of workers by reducing injury risk and removing inefficiencies. Proper workstation set-up is critical to avoiding injury for employees.
On-site Medical Services
About Onsite Medical Services
Unnecessary medical treatments slow an employee’s return to work, drive up costly hospital and workers’ compensation fees, and can adversely affect our clients’ safety record and Total Recordable Incident Rate. By providing program management programs and various health and wellness services, health care providers can remain treating patients instead of being them.
While OccuMed of New England primarily serves clients in the healthcare field, we provide medical services on construction sites. Our staff has the experience to manage the occupational health operations, providing excellent care, preventive wellness talks and programs, and lowering the instances of recordable events and workers’ compensation claims. We will work with you to ensure the health and safety of your employees at every stage.
Emergency Responder/Paramedic
Having an emergency responder or paramedic trained to quickly and administer first aid can be crucial. This means the injury can be treated immediately, while avoiding unnecessary ER visits. Under individual state and national physician medical direction, OccuMed’s protocols are designed in accordance with OSHA guidelines, state and federal regulations, and evidence-based practice to guide the caregiver through the first aid process.
Health Professional
The inconvenience of taking time off from work to go to the doctors deters many from even going in the first place. Unfortunately, this leads to many ongoing, undiagnosed symptoms or dealing with untreated pain or stress. OccuMed can staff a licensed healthcare professional (LHP) in your workplace for a portion of your workday so that your employees can address health related problems without having to leave work. Employees can visit our LHP for a healthcare screening, ergonomic related pain or cold and flu symptoms. Not only will absenteeism and healthcare-related costs decrease, employees will be more engaged in their work and be more productive.
Mobile Clinic
OccuMed is able to provide onsite medical care to any project that is remote, widespread, temporary, or that requires our staff to be available at a moment’s notice. Our trailers are fully equipped with materials tailored to the client’s needs. We have the capability of stocking our trailers with first aid and drug testing materials. By providing medical services on-site, employees do not have to leave work to receive medical treatments. OccuMed is affiliated with a local clinic that is equipped to deal with injuries that go beyond first aid treatment.
Drug & Alcohol Screening
You can meet your contractual and insurance requirements with OccuMed’s on-site drug and alcohol testing. The average cost of sending an employee off-site for testing, including the cost of time, can reach $135-$175. We can save you up to 75% and get your employee back to work in 15 minutes.
Respirator FIT Testing
A “FIT Test” tests the seal between the respirator’s face piece and your face. This ensures the effectiveness of the respirator. Fit testing is not only required by OSHA, but keeps your employees safe from contaminants produced in their work environment. The respirators only work if the intended protection is verified. It takes about fifteen to twenty minutes to complete and is performed at least annually. After passing a fit test with a respirator, you must use the exact same make, model, style, and size respirator on the job.
Medical Evaluations
According to OSHA regulations, in order to be FIT tested, employees must pass a medical evaluation. It is required that employers provide these evaluations for free to all workers who are required to wear respirators during work duties. Respirators can make breathing more difficult and not everyone is able to wear a respirator. Some conditions that could prevent you from using a respirator include heart conditions, lung disease, and psychological conditions like claustrophobia. Before you use a respirator or are fit-tested, your employer must evaluate whether you are medically able to wear it.
