With its assembly plant, Harley Davidson has maintained a presence in Kansas City for the last 15 years. During that time, the factory has worked to improve the health and safety of its assembly workers.
Even when the utmost precautions are taken, assembly line work, particularly when it comes to putting motorcycles together, can take a toll on a worker’s body. With this in mind, the Harley plant has engaged the services of several physical therapists that help the employees with any minor injuries they suffer while on the job. The company has found that this early rehabilitation service keeps workers from aggravating their injuries, thus saving them from costly medical procedures and extended time off work.
The plant also has employed other safety measures designed to prevent workers’ injuries. For one, employees must rotate their tasks every two hours and are instructed to let management know if they are experiencing any pain. Employees can also take advantage of the company’s wellness program, which will include the building of a new athletic center for the employees at the plant. Sources say that as a result of its efforts, the factory is seeing fewer serious injuries and fewer workers’ compensation claims.
One of the best things an employer can do for its employees is promote a culture of health and safety in order to prevent injuries from occurring in the first place. This not only saves employees and their families a lot of heartache and inconvenience but also saves the company costs as well as the inconvenience of having a valuable employee out of work.
Nevertheless, some accidents are still bound to occur, and when they do, Missouri employees should remember that the state’s workers’ compensation system is available to them.
Source: KCTV 5, “Harley Davidson plant taking steps to increase health of employees,” Erika Tallen, Sept. 5, 2013