Effectiveness of a workplace risk assessment team in reducing the rate, cost, and duration of occupational injury

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a consultative workplace risk assessment team in reducing the rate and severity of injury among cleaners within a 600-bed hospital. Cohorts of Cleaning Services and Orderly Services staff ever employed within both a 4-year preintervention and a 3-year postintervention period were assigned to the intervention and comparison groups, respectively. The date, compensation claims' cost, and hours lost from work were obtained for each injury during the study period. Age, gender, work experience, and hours worked were ascertained for every subject whether injured or not. Reductions of two thirds in injury rate, 73% in cost rate, and 43% in duration rate were evident in the intervention group. In comparison, the orderlies experienced a postintervention increase in all three rates. The success of the workplace risk assessment team intervention supports the adoption of a participatory approach to reducing the rate and consequence of workplace injury.