15th October 2018
TPM and the World of Work
Despite the lightning speed at which technology is changing the work landscape, there is still little doubt that a company’s employees are its biggest asset; therefore, it pays to ensure that they perform at a consistently high level. Perhaps nowhere is this more important than when considering the performance of those individuals who put themselves on the line for others, such as first responders. The well-being of these individuals is clearly of benefit to much more than just the organisation in which they so bravely serve.
Maintenance of the health of the first response
By definition, first responders possess the skills and know-how that allows them to be the first on the scene of a range of incidents, providing assistance where it is needed, making the tough decisions in the face of an emergency, displaying calm in the presence of chaos. By being exposed to a multitude of risks, situations of high uncertainty and the associated stress, both at and away from the work environment, the maintenance of the mental and physical health of first responders is paramount (Hagler, 2012). Therefore, the ongoing challenge for any organisation is to support their operational staff to maintain key markers of mental and physical health for longer.
The cost of days lost
Firefighters are an example of what comes to mind when the term ‘first responders’ is heard. Entering spaces others are fleeing is just one illustration of this service’s commitment to their role. Unsurprisingly, such commitment can come at a cost. One UK based brigade reported days lost to musculoskeletal disorders and mental health issues in a single year as in excess of 2000 and associated with an estimated cost of circa £300,000. Since 2015, brigades have also had the additional burden of increased pension ages, therefore more staff are expected to work an extra 5 years before retirement. The mix of stress, the demands of the role, and the natural effects of aging are likely to put any operational firefighter at elevated risk of injury and therefore time away from the workplace.
The Movement Focus of TPM Workplace
In order to make individuals more robust to the multiple challenges of their role, more than two decades of movement assessment and retraining expertise has been tailored in package to meet the needs of staff. This is TPM Workplace. The process seeks to optimise movement efficiency, influence injury rates and burden and improve performance outputs. Built around The Performance Matrix (TPM) movement evaluation tool and retraining concepts (Dingenen et al., 2018; Mischiati et al., 2015; Mottram & Comerford, 2008), TPM can deliver robust staff so they can tolerate the day to day demands of their role for the long-term movement efficiency and health, building employee and employer satisfaction. Originally designed for and still implemented by leading elite sports clubs and athletes, our movement assessment and retraining solutions have a proven track record for successful outcomes. Furthermore, they supply one-to-one testing and retraining so as to provide real benefits and tangible results, so that over time, each participant can monitor their
improvements.
TPM Workplace can support a wide range of different organisations
Effective on the frontline?
Questions may be asked as to whether technology designed for refined arena of elite sport translates well to the rigours of the ‘real world’. Because TPM focusses on movement, and movement is so key to both sport and work, the success seen with athletes is also apparent within first responders. The UK based fire brigade that experienced such a high rate of days lost of the course of a year, subsequently implemented TPM Workplace to support firefighters in order to improve fitness levels, musculoskeletal health, reduce sickness absence and reduce injuries. In the first year of the scheme, musculoskeletal sickness absence was reduced by 37%. The brigade, previously known as one of the worse performing of the ‘services’ in the UK became of the best in terms of days lost to sickness. This success was still evident in the following 6 months with days lost to musculoskeletal sickness down by 42% compared to the previous 6 months.
Key outcomes of TPM Workplace
TPM Workplace offers unique solutions to each member of staff yet this is delivered in a systemised and efficient manner. Protecting the company’s assets is fundamental. TPM Workplace ‘looks after your employees’ movement’ so that they can enjoy productive and efficient days in the business.
To explore ways to improve the movement health and performance of your workforce, with a positive effect on individuals and the organisations ability to deliver, get in touch with us today.
References
· Dingenen, B., Blandford, L., Comerford, M., Staes, F., & Mottram, S. (2018). The assessment of movement health in clinical practice: A multidimensional perspective. Physical Therapy in Sport.
· Hagler, G. (2012). Careers as a First Responder (2012), p. 59.
· Mischiati, C. R., Comerford, M., Gosford, E., Swart, J., Ewings, S., Botha, N., ... & Mottram, S. L. (2015). Intra and inter-rater reliability of screening for movement impairments: movement control tests from the foundation matrix. Journal of sports science & medicine, 14(2), 427.
· Mottram, S., & Comerford, M. (2008). A new perspective on risk assessment. Physical Therapy in Sport, 9(1), 40-51.