THE EFFECT OF SHIFT TIME AND WORK SCHEDULE ON INJURIES IN THE INDUSTRIAL WORKPLACE

Authors

  • Joshua Prall PT, DPT, EdD, MS, OCS, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Scranton, 237 Jefferson Avenue, Scranton, PA 18510, USA
  • Michael Ross Physical Therapy Department, Daemen College, 4380 Main St, Amherst, NY 14226, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejphs.v4i2.103

Keywords:

physical therapy, injury prevention, ergonomics, injuries, and safety

Abstract

Background: Musculoskeletal injuries have increased in the past decade and to date, no study has examined an employee work schedule and shift time on injuries. Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact an employees’ shift time and work schedule have on occupational injuries in the industrial workplace. Setting and Design: Retrospective analysis of a large manufacturing company located in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The company employs 551 workers for work on assembly lines, packaging products, dissemination of old material, loading and unloading delivery trucks, and cleaning between two locations. Methods and Materials: Occupational injuries were gathered from analysis of the company’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration 300 Injury and Illness Log from 2016 to 2020. A retrospective analysis of injured employees (N = 143) over a five-year period from 2016-2020. Statistical Analysis: A chi-square analysis was used to analysis how work shift and work schedule impacted injuries (p < 0.005). Results: The results of the study add significant information to the existing literature on ergonomic interventions in the industrial workplace being delivered by a physical therapist. The results indicate that there is a statistically significant relationship between an employee’s shift time and a non-statistically positive association between an employee’s work schedule on injuries. Researchers found that employees are being injured more in the second half of the workday and later in the employee’s work week. Conclusion: The authors conclude that shift time and work schedule are important factors for reducing injuries in the workplace.

 

Author Biographies

  • Joshua Prall, PT, DPT, EdD, MS, OCS, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Scranton, 237 Jefferson Avenue, Scranton, PA 18510, USA
    Joshua Prall, PT, DPT, EdD, MS, OCS is the owner of Coastal Consulting LLC, specializing in providing ergonomics education and workplace safety programs which benefit both the employees and the employers to reduce workplace injuries, increase productivity, and decrease spending on healthcare costs. He is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Physical Therapist through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS). He is an adjunct professor at the University of Scranton and Misericordia University where he is active teaching in the Occupational Health, Therapeutic Exercise, Grand Rounds, and Orthopedic Physical Therapy curriculums. He has guest lectured on ergonomics and work hardening at various universities including Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania on the topic ergonomic consulting to reduce workplace injuries in the Master of Athletic Training Program and internationally on topics including ergonomics and postural training for the Master of Science in Physiotherapy Program at the Bangladesh Health Professions Institute. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and is a member of the Orthopedic, Research, and Health Policy and Administration sections. He is also a member of the Occupational Health Special Interest Group (OHSIG) through the Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy (AOPT) and is currently serving as Vice Research Chair for the OHSIG. He has also published multiple manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals on the effects physical therapy delivered workplace injury prevention and ergonomics on injury reduction and costs in the workplace.
  • Michael Ross, Physical Therapy Department, Daemen College, 4380 Main St, Amherst, NY 14226, USA
    Michael Ross, PT, DHSc, OCS, FAAOMPT is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Daemen College in Amherst NY. He is a board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists. Prior to his appointment at Daemen College, Dr. Ross served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years where he was credentialed as a direct access provider with diagnostic imaging and pharmacological privileges. He completed his Bachelor’s of Science in Physical Therapy from Daemen College, his Doctorate of Health Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Indianapolis, and a Fellowship in Orthopedic Manual Therapy and Musculoskeletal Primary Care from Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Vallejo, CA. He has made numerous scientific presentations and has lectured extensively at the entry-level, graduate, and postgraduate levels on medical screening and differential diagnosis in physical therapist practice. Dr. Ross maintains a pro bono practice for community residents and has published over 150 manuscripts and abstracts related to orthopedic physical therapist practice. He served as the Editor for the Musculoskeletal Imaging feature of the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy from 2008 to 2016 and is a manuscript reviewer for several medical and rehabilitation journals.

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Published

2021-10-29

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 2 (2021)

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How to Cite

THE EFFECT OF SHIFT TIME AND WORK SCHEDULE ON INJURIES IN THE INDUSTRIAL WORKPLACE. (2021). European Journal of Public Health Studies, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.46827/ejphs.v4i2.103