Healthy Roster Blog

Why exactly are Athletic Trainers so darn effective in the workplace?

Written by Tim Clark | Dec 1, 2021 4:40:02 PM

Athletes move.

That's what they do. To accomplish their goals, excessive movement is required. Running, jumping, twisting, pushing, lifting... it's all part of the game. 

And athletes at every level — from pro sports to middle school athletics — get the best care possible to improve on and treat injuries from that movement. 

(Just so you're in the loop, athletic trainers are highly-qualified, multi-skilled healthcare professionals who prevent, examine, diagnose, treat and rehab acute and chronic injuries and medical conditions.)  

Many years ago, athletic trainers made their own move — to industrial settings! They help manufacturers, distributors, construction companies, and all the industrial organizations who have workers doing physical, manual labor.

Why? Because their jobs involve performing the same excessive movements as athletes: overexertion (lifting, pulling, pushing, throwing, etc.), repetitive motion, and standing for long periods.

How Effective are Athletic Trainers?
Having athletic trainers (ATs) onsite to work with industrial employees is incredibly effective. They help prevent those aches, pains, strains and sprains that workers get doing their jobs: 

AT Qualifications: 

  • Master’s degree from a college or university professional athletic training degree program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
  • Board Certified or Licensed in Athletic Training in their state
  • Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist
  • OSHA 30 certified

Benefits Include:

  • Experts in root cause analysis & ergonomic design
  • Deep fundamental understand of body mechanics and musculoskeletal elements
  • Clear understanding on OSHA first aid vs. medical treatment

They can prevent those send-outs to clinics or the ER, avoiding costly claims and days away from work. In other words, they keep your workers working. 

In fact, studies show that ATs reduce work injuries by 50%. They decrease days away from work by 25%. And companies that have invested in athletic training injury prevention programs saw a huge ROI. More than 80% of companies indicated an ROI of $3 saved her $1 invested. 30% reported an ROI of $7. 

So... Our Company Should Bring Athletic Trainers Onsite?
Well, the easy answer is that it's not scalable. In a facility with 3 shifts, 7 days a week, one AT can handle 23% of the work hours.

To cover everyone, on each shift you'd need 5-7 ATs — at a cost of around $100k annually per AT, that's $500k... for one location.

And if you've got several locations... well, you know.  

In Other Words... We're Doomed! 
To steal a line from legendary coach and commentator Lee Corso... "Not so fast, my friend!" 

Healthy Roster is here to help! 

We provide an always-on safety service that gives you access to athletic trainers to help you help your employees. 

Safety Ally gives your workers coverage, that follows your protocols and regulations, on every shift and at each location. 

Via our technology, including walk-up onsite kiosks, mobile apps, and video hotline, your employees can talk to qualified workplace athletic trainers at any time. 

Talk to us today to find out how you can get the help you need to keep employees safer, productive, happy, and engaged, all while you reduce recordables and lower costs in every department. 

Learn more about Safety Ally today: