EARLY INTERVENTION  

Early intervention is the rightful catch cry for injury management.  But just how early can, and should, we make this intervention happen?  Often when speaking about early intervention the context is in terms of ensuring that appropriate and safe interventions occur within critical periods after an injury or illness has been identified and reported to the workplace. Studies have shown that, at any given time, there are people in our workplaces whose productivity is being affected by headaches, insufficient sleep leading to fatigue, obesity and other unidentified health problems.

Strategies for supporting employees who may be at risk of developing more serious health issues include:

• having a clear and well communicated work and life balance policy
• promoting the EAP in the workplace
• providing health and well being information in the workplace including work station assessments, health checks etc, and
• supporting managers and supervisors in fostering a workplace culture that encourages employees to report any problems and seek appropriate assistance and support.