Effectiveness of injury/illness prevention and loss control programs: a systematic review

Reasons for the study

Injury/illness prevention and loss control programs help protect workers from injuries, meet regulatory requirements, reduce the negative effects of injuries and manage costs. These programs include the three Ps: work practices among employees, policies developed by employers, and programs required by legislation. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify studies that evaluated the effect of injury/illness prevention and loss control programs on reducing the frequency and/or severity of workplace injuries.

Progress

The systematic review, completed in 2008, found strong evidence supporting the effectiveness of disability management/return-to-work programs. Researchers recommend that workplaces develop multi-component disability management programs that involve the health-care provider, company supervisors and workers, and workers' compensation carriers.