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One plant’s way to focus on safety, reduce injuries and boost employee engagement: Stretching
Six years ago when Ascend's Foley, Alabama, plant experienced an unusual spike in sprain and strain injuries, plant manager Tom Boggs took swift action to do something about it.
The military veteran knew there had to be a way to prevent the injuries, many of which involved bending and lifting – a daily activity for most plant team members. Those repetitive movements can sometimes cause musculoskeletal-type injuries to develop over time without intervention. So Boggs turned to the company’s occupational health manager, Lee Dillow, for help. Together, they formed a team that worked with a chiropractor to create a stretching program.
The program started with team members stretching at tool box meetings and safety meetings. Then, to reinforce safety, it expanded to include a midday stretch that has become known as Take Two at Two – two minutes to think about safety and two minutes to stretch.
Daily stretching routine
Now every day at 2 p.m., a friendly voice breaks through the plant’s loud speaker: “Here it is 2 o’clock already. It’s time for a little stretching.”
Without further prompting, team members stop what they are doing and come together in small groups to run through four or five stretch moves. The workouts sometimes spark good-natured banter as team members loosen arm, leg and back muscles. When they’re done, team members return to work knowing they just prevented a possible injury.
Safety is the most important thing we do at Ascend, and Take Two at Two gives team members time to focus on personal wellness and safety every day.
The program, and the teamwork behind it, is an example of Ascend’s ongoing commitment to safety and doing things better. And as a company motivated by good ideas, it only makes sense to share Foley’s success. A stretching program is set to rollout to all locations in the next several weeks.
Train to prevent injuries
Dillow said Take Two at Two is about being good industrial athletes.
“We have to strengthen and train our bodies just like real athletes if we want to have the best safety results in the workplace,” Dillow said.
Since implementing the program, the number of first-aid treatments related to sprains, strains and other type of musculoskeletal-type injuries have dropped significantly. In addition, the plant has gone more than two years without an OSHA recordable injury.
Boggs is perhaps the biggest fan of Take Two at Two. He often stretches alongside his team and sometimes leads workouts. He’s just as quick to interrupt important meetings to take two minutes for safety.
His enthusiasm has rubbed off. Christal Peete, a member of the bagging and packout team, said she looks forward to stretching because it makes her feel better.
Stretching has its perks
Research shows regular stretching has many benefits including the following:
- increased flexibility and joint range of motion
- improved circulation
- better posture
- stress relief
- enhanced coordination
Stretching also is a good opportunity for team members to see others who work in different areas of the plant, Boggs said. As part of the program, the entire team gathers every Tuesday at 2 p.m. in a central area to stretch together. Boggs said it has boosted morale and improved relationships between team leaders and team members.
Team members from other Ascend sites and guests have joined the fun at the plant. OHSA employees even stretched with the team during a recent VPP audit.
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