Decreased rate of back injuries through a wellness program for offshore petroleum employees

High rates of injury, particularly those for back injuries, at an offshore petroleum unit were addressed through an intensive wellness program initiat ed in 1991, The number of all types of injuries, including back injuries, d ecreased between 1991 and 1995. The number of back injuries decreased from nine in 1987 to four in 1992 and was zero in 1993. Although there are inade quate data to provide power for a significant result, other criteria sugges t a causal relation ship. The results are consistent with the Sew published studies that suggest a decrease in the number of injuries ire association with exercise and perhaps with modification of psychosocial risk factors. C alculations suggest a cost savings of over $800 000 and a return on investm ent of $2.51, as well as avoidance of pain and injury.