Amazon has over 80 distribution and warehouse facilities in the U.S. and can employ 1,000 to over 1,500 full-time workers to handle the demand of storing, sorting and shipping packages. That many people, doing that much heavy lifting and repetitive motion, can lead to a lot of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the workplace. 

They have recently put a physical and mental well-being program in place, called AmaZen, to improve health and safety at all their locations. The program was started by an athletic trainer several years ago to help workers prevent and heal from their injuries. The AT's focus is on mindfulness exercises. Employees in the distribution centers can watch short videos, at a kiosk, with activities that focus on guided meditations, positive affirmations, and calming scenes with sounds. She's working with fellow employees on how expand and grow the program. 

Another Amazon athletic trainer is focused on body mechanics and safety training to support workers. She helps safety leaders conduct Health & Safety Huddles, hold wellness coaching meetings, and design and adjust employee workstations. 

While we applaud their efforts, our biggest concern is that the program does not go far enough to help prevent MSDs, doesn't help keep minor injuries from becoming major ones, and does not give counseling or ergonomic tips based on individual needs.

For workers to be truly involved with a health and safety program, like what Amazon is attempting to do, the company needs to provide personalized recommendations. To have a kiosk set up to simply show videos designed for everyone will most likely help no one. YouTube probably has millions of videos for meditation, yoga, and affirmations that are ignored on a daily basis.  

The optimal method for worker safety and health would be having an athletic trainer, on duty at every location, who can discuss nutritional tips, recommend proper footwear, or suggest stretching moves for each particular worker's pain. Or to treat that minor injury before it leads to a major one. Major injuries mean lost work time, more overtime and stressed workers, and lowered productivity. 

Having a full-time athletic trainer at every location, for every shift and worker, however, is not a possibility for very many industrial companies. If any. 

Since Amazon is going to have that kiosk set up at each distribution center some day, they would certainly see better results with a program where workers can speak to a licensed, certified healthcare professional who can help many people without being every where, all the time.

They could get personalized tips on ergonomics, stretching techniques, exercises, break recommendations, and safety gear advice that applies only to them. They could be triaged for an injury or work-related pain that is specific to the employee to help decide if they need to visit an emergency room or they can go back to work. 

With such a system in place, like the one offered by Healthy Roster, they would reduce lost work time, increase production, and have employee buy-in on the program. They would also be able to retain workers and attract new talent because those people will get personalized care and know that the company truly has their best interests at heart. 

If you'd like to find out more about how we help companies cut costs, improve employee morale, and keep workers on the job, connect with us today. Your bottom line will thank you.