Program of Health/Safety Integration and the Total Worker Health Concept in the Improvement of Absenteeism of the Work Accommodation Management

Introduction: There is a worldwide trend for the employer to be aware of investing in health promotion that goes beyond occupational hygiene approaches with the implementation of a comprehensive program with integration between occupational health and safety, and social/psychosocial responsibility in the workplace. Work accommodation is a necessity in most companies as it allows the worker to return to its function respecting its physical limitations. This study had the objective to verify if the integration of health and safety in the companies, with the inclusion of the concept of TWH promoted by an occupational health service has impacted in the management of absenteeism of workers in work accommodation. Method: A retrospective and paired cohort study was used, in which the impact of the implementation of the Program for the Health/Safety Integration and Total Worker Health Concept (PHSITWHC) was evaluated using the indices of absenteeism, health attestations, days and hours of sick leave of workers that underwent job accommodation/rehabilitation. This was a cohort study and the data were collected from January to September of 2017, prior to the initiation of the integration program, and compared with the data obtained from January to September of 2018, after the implementation of the program. For the statistical analysis, the student's t-test was used, with statistically significant differences being made at p < 0.05. Results: The results showed a 35% reduction in the number of absenteeism rate in 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. There was also a significant reduction in the total numbers of days of attestations/absences (mean of 2,8) as well as days of attestations, absence and sick leaves (mean of 5,2) in 2018 data after the implementation of PHSITWHC compared to 2017 data, means of 4,3 and 25,1, respectively, prior to the program. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the inclusion of the PHSITWHC was associated with a reduction in the rate of absenteeism of workers that underwent job accommodation. It was observed that, once health and safety were approached and integrated with the inclusion of the TWH concept, it was possible to reduce absenteeism, and improve worker’s quality of life and wellness, and work accommodation management.




References:
[1] Feltner, C., Petterson, K., Weber, R.W. et The Effectiveness of Total Worker Health Interventions: A Systematic Review for a National Institute of Health Pathways to Prevention Workshop. Ann Intern Med. 165:262-269, 2016.
[2] Giddens, A. Trabalho e Vida Econômica. In: Sociologia. São Paulo: Artmed, p. 304-340, 2005.
[3] Mendes, R. Patologia do Trabalho. 3. ed. São Paulo: Atheneu, p. 49 – 120, 2013.
[4] Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. Núcleo Estadual em São Paulo. Saúde do Trabalhador : programa de qualidade de vida e promoção à saúde / Ministério da Saúde, Núcleo Estadual em São Paulo. – Brasília : Editora do Ministério da Saúde, 2008. Babbie ER. The Practice of Social Research. 12th ed. 2009. ISBN 0-495-59841-0.
[5] NIOSH. Fundamentals of total worker health approaches: essential elements for advancing worker safety, health, and well-being. By Lee MP, Huson H, Richards R, Chang CC, Chosewood LC, Schill AL, on behalf of the NIOSH Office for Total Worker Health. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2017-112, 2016.
[6] O’Donnel M. The face of wellness: aspirational vision of health, renewing health behavior change process and balanced portfolio approach to planning change strategies. American Journal of Health Promotion, 23(2): TAHP-1-TAHP-12, 2008.
[7] CDC/NIOSH. Essential Elements of Effective Workplace Programs and Policies for Improving Worker Health and Wellbeing. 2007. Disponível em http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/twh/essentials. html
[8] Loeppke, R. R., Hohn, T., Basse, C. et al. Integrating Health and Safety in the workplace. JOEM – Volume 57, Number 5, May, p. 585-597, 2015.Davis K, Dunning K, Jewell G, Lockey J. Cost and disability trends of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in Ohio. Occupational Medicine. 1o de dezembro de 2014; 64(8):608–15.
[9] ICOH. International Commission for Occupational Health. International Code of Ethics for occupational health professionals. Third edition, ICOH ed., Rome (Italy), 2014.