Schneider National Inc.'s safety and loss prevention team had a significant impact on the company's bottom-line improvement last year, helping to reduce workers compensation costs by more than nine percent.

The improvement was gained through initiatives that addressed both accidents and the risk of injury. Schneider used a strategy provided by Atlas Ergonomics' transportation system that eliminates the stress and discomforts of driving, reduces in-cab injuries, reduces back injuries outside of the cab and lessens fatigue.
Within six months of implementation, the percentage of drivers reporting discomfort dropped by more than 47 percent.
Surprisingly, these improvements were accomplished without changes to the cabs, because Atlas helps drivers use the ergonomic adjustments already available to them more effectively. The Atlas system then measures remaining discomfort, identifies specific drivers who require special attention, and recommends appropriate actions.
Don Osterberg, vice president of safety and driver training at Schneider, said, "We moved forward with the Atlas system to keep our drivers more safe and comfortable. The Atlas Seat Marking System provides an opportunity for our drivers to use the full value of their seat.
As a result, the company 114 fewer lost-time injuries, according to Osterberg.
"At the start of the program, our objective was simply to help our drivers, and the financial impact was less clear. Now after six months, we are confident that we have seen a favorable return on our investment."
Drew Bossen, executive vice president of Atlas Ergonomics, said, "We now have over 15,000 driver surveys, which provide invaluable data telling us where driver discomfort occurs and why. We are now using that data to identify root cause issues and define solutions to further improve performance.
“Historically the term 'ergonomics' has been unfortunately associated with burdensome legislation and never-ending training. At Atlas, we care for the health of the worker and also focus on providing our clients a measurable return on investment. By balancing both needs, we can provide a sustainable solution that can be embraced by all stakeholders."
For more information about Schneider National and employment opportunities, visit www.schneider.com or call (800) 558-6767.