Kroger Teams with KORT Physical Therapy for New Employee Wellness Program

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This program didn’t cost us much to implement and has been very effective. We’ve reduced repeat injuries and have reduced our year-to-date injuries by 93.

Louisville, Kentucky (PRWEB) September 01, 2011

As the economy continues to struggle, businesses are looking for new and innovative ways to save money and better utilize existing resources. Kroger’s MidSouth Division found a way to do both by working with KORT (Kentucky Orthopedic Rehab Team) to implement a new employee wellness program called Living Life Safe and Well. Since its introduction last October, this new program has cut down on job-related employee injuries, reduced sick days and begun an internal healthy living revolution.

Kroger Mid South Division Safety Manager Vance Blade, and Debby Burden, Administrative Assistant, worked closely with KORT physical therapists Dr. Chad Garvey and Dr. Katie McBee to develop this program which addressed the high number of work related injuries the division faced each year.
“Of 19 divisions in the Kroger Company, the MidSouth division always came in near the bottom with the most employee injuries. In 2010, our division had 640 lost work hours. From 2009 to 2010, we saw a 5.75% increase in workers comp claims. Of those injured some 40% were repeaters, meaning the same employees kept getting injured,” said Blade. “We had to do something, so along with KORT we created the Living Life Safe and Well program to begin addressing the problem.”

The Living Life Safe and Well program was introduced to local Kroger markets within the MidSouth Division including Louisville, Lexington, Danville, Nashville and Southern Illinois. The four-hour presentation was divided into eight breakout seminars which were given by medical experts including KORT physical therapists, a nutritionist and a physician. Each seminar provided employees with detailed information and instruction on: proper lifting techniques; equipment safety; personal protective equipment; culinary arts training/how to handle a knife; stretching, fitness and physical therapy; hand therapy safety; wellness and nutrition; and an ask the doctor session where employees could discuss various health issues.

“This program didn’t cost us much to implement and has been very effective,” said Blade. “So far we’ve trained 330 employees, and have moved from our spot near the bottom of the list of the most work related employee injuries into the top ten of 19 divisions with fewer injuries. That’s a considerable improvement. We’ve reduced repeat injuries and have reduced our year-to-date injuries by 93.”

In addition to the hard numbers, Blade says it’s the personal anecdotes of individual employees that make the program a success in his mind.
“I was walking through our new Maketplace store in Shelbyville when I was stopped by Jerry one of our associates. Now I hadn’t seen Jerry since February and I was amazed. His face was smaller, his body was lighter and he looked so much healthier. He told me had had lost 31 pounds since attending the Living Life Safe and Well seminar. He said the program changed his life, and he was doing things he hadn’t done in years. It’s truly amazing what can be accomplished. I’m so proud of this program and of everyone who has embraced it,” said Blade.

According to Blade, plans are being made for Living Life Safe and Well II which will be an extension of the current program focusing on small group and individuals to address specific work safety issues.

“We know our plan works,” said Blade. “We took a proactive and positive approach to a negative situation and have been able to turn things around. Living Life Safe and Well provides practical, information our associates can use both at work and at home. They have become empowered and are now taking responsibility for their safety. They can see the benefits and are making smarter choices because of it.”

Locally managed and operated, Kentucky Orthopedic Rehab Team (KORT) is Kentucky's premier provider of outpatient physical and occupational therapy services specializing in orthopedics, sports and industrial medicine. Since 1987, KORT has provided clinical and customer service excellence to patients in KORT clinics, at employer sites, and with high school, college, and professional sports teams. With more than 20 years experience in the Physical Therapy Industry, KORT operates over 35 clinics throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana, with more board-certified specialists than any other physical therapy provider in Kentucky. For more information visit http://www.kort.com

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