Enhance Ergonomics

Three years ago, when 350 employee DenMat in Lompoc, CA, was seeing an increase in workers’ compensation claims for repetitive motion injuries, Carol Newberry, Executive Administrator, worked with a trainer at a nearby gym to develop a stretching program. Using Theraband stretch bands, production employees are led through a five-minute stretch routine twice a day to relieve tension in their necks, arms and hands. 

“I change up the routine a little so they don’t get bored and recently added 20 squats to the mix to get their blood flowing,” says Newberry. “Employees say it helps and we’ve seen a significant drop in repetitive injury claims. Our insurance company says, ‘whatever you’re doing, keep doing it’ and we may be eligible for discounted premiums if injuries continue to drop,” says Newberry.