Editor's note - This article was prepared by the University of Michigan Trauma Burn Center

Trauma is a substantial contributor to death and injury on the job. It is one of the most pressing public health problems in the United States.

Sixteen workers die from a traumatic injury every day. Annually, six million workers suffer injuries that result in either lost time from work, medical treatment, or restricted work activity. The University of Michigan Trauma Burn Center finds these numbers disturbing and unacceptable.

As a level-one trauma center we see first-hand the consequences of a traumatic injury. The ramifications of injury can be measured not only in lives lost, lifelong disabilities and decreased productivity, but also in social and financial losses.

We believe that prevention is the very best way to reduce the number of occupational traumatic injuries. Consequently, we have developed SiteSafe, a progressive occupational injury prevention program. The goal of the curriculum is to reduce the number of high-risk occupational injuries through comprehensive prevention education.

The information presented teaches workers and management about the medical, financial and social consequences of traumatic injuries. Topics include pre-hospital care, social issues, personal protective equipment, job loss, health care costs, disabilities, family roles and injury prevention strategies.

The program features pre-hospital care providers, trauma surgeons, social workers, injury prevention educators, lawyers, representatives from MIOSHA, school of public health professors and demonstrations on personal protective equipment.

SiteSafe provides tools and resources needed to help both employers and employees make the right safety and health decisions. Our target audiences are construction workers, building trades unions, apprenticeship schools, utility companies, autoworkers, and other high-risk groups. SiteSafe strives to modify the attitude, knowledge and behavior within the workplace. The benefits can be measured by the reduction in employee absenteeism, turnover, insurance claims, injuries and in the number of lives saved.

A program on Dec. 4, 2001 resulted in enthusiastic positive feedback from participants. If you are interested in attending our next program or want more information on SiteSafe contact Michael C. McReynolds at 734-936-9672 or mikemcr@umich.edu or visit our website at www.traumaburn.org.