Injury Prevention and
Injury Management System
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Patent Abstract
Best Solution to an identified workplace health and safety issue (Workplace Safe Award 2000). 
Pipers Brook Vineyard Limited owns approximately 10 vineyards on either side of the Tamar River. It's workforce includes casual labour, which has grown quickly with the takeover of new vineyards.
A hazard was identified in the repetitive nature of general vineyard duties requiring constant loading of specific muscle groups. A rising pattern of physical injuries related to these activities was noted. With initial comment from all levels of management, Pipers Brook Vineyard management worked with Chameleon Consultants to develop a strategy that combined expertise from a multitude of areas including education, management, physiology, occupational therapy and exercise physiology. Using this strategy, each vineyard task was analysed from an occupational therapy and an exercise physiology aspect. Each staff member could then be physically profiled against known performance objectives, allowing for the production of relevant remedial therapy or training and physical maintenance programs designed for all workers. In 18 months, Pipers Brook has reduced its injury rate from 26 injuries of the type targeted per six month period to an average of 5.5 per six month block. The associated costs of injury management are down 94%, indicating a marked reduction in the severity of claims. Anecdotal evidence from workers and team leaders indicates an attitude and knowledge shift towards a safer working environment. |
