New concepts in workplace injury prevention have been a big topic of conversation with employers for more than two centuries. As margins shrink and employee benefit costs rise, many business managers and human resource professionals continue to search for new, innovative ways to keep employees safe and free from on-the-job health hazards.

WorkSTEPS is a national health provider bringing a healthy impact to the bottom line of area businesses. They are heavily involved with employers involved in the manufacturing, transportation, construction, healthcare and hospital industries. WorkSTEPS offers their customers testing programs for employees based specifically on job-related criteria. Many of their top clients include MoDOT, the Kansas DOT and the Oklahoma DOT.

A customer of WorkSTEPS can expect a full evaluation of their own facilities, as well as a personalized plan designed to mitigate risk potentials. Specific physical tests are developed by simulation, or by using actual equipment from the job site. These tests require that employer-established competency and performance levels be achieved, and meet minimum standards for job performance.

A Comprehensive WorkSTEPS Test is comprised of a Complete Medical Background, Musculoskeletal Examination, Dynamic Lifting and Specific Job Function Testing based on specific job function tasks.

These proactive measures implemented by WorkSTEPS allow for the discovery of preexisting physical problems that have proven very costly to employers for years. Previous back injuries, repetitive stress injuries, as well as undetected health conditions are able to be addressed prior to the problem worsening.

Many costs associated with worksite injuries are associated to the direct expenses found in treatment for an injured worker. A reduction of injuries can provide hard cost savings to your insurance program, as well as the avoidance of other soft costs associated with lost time on the job.

The idea of managing and controlling losses at the worksite is not completely new. Many companies employ professional risk managers, as well as medical professionals, that focus on the prevention of future losses. WorkSTEPS increases the awareness of future losses by peeking into the ‘crystal ball’ of the past and present to determine loss potential in relation to worksite injuries.

With a strong presence throughout Southeast Missouri, the owner of WorkSTEPS, Austin Tinsley, has begun the processes of expansion to the Northeast Arkansas. Realizing the need for legally defendable functional testing, Tinsley began working with WorkSTEPS as a provider in the ‘90’s after developing his own testing methods. WorkSTEPS provides this testing on a Capable or Not Capable Test result for the employer.

Tinsley was on hand at a corporate WorkSTEPS seminar, held at the Delta Center of Economic Development in Jonesboro this week. He and his team shared their plans for moving into the area and how quickly they could get up and running.

“After a seven year football career as a A-State Indian/Red Wolf, it is a true fit that we (WorkSTEPS) expand our operations to the Jonesboro area,” noted Tinsley. “Jonesboro was the original location where I began my career of worksite health management.”

For further information regarding WorkSTEPS for your business, you may contact Sean Miller at seanm@ozarkfitnesscenter.net or by phone at 573.300.8692. Additional information can also be found at the WorkSTEPS website.

Austin Tinsley is the owner of Ozark Physical Therapy the WorkSTEPS Provider in Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas. There are over 1,000 Providers nationwide in 48 States.