Steve Hamilton, Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies
“Pre-shift meetings are required by regulations in many industries such as construction.  Employers often use these times to discuss general safety topics, compliance issues, and site specific hazards.  All of these topics effectively improve awareness.  But, safety managers who work to proactively address losses often take their programs to the next level by introducing pre-shift stretching.  This simple activity gives the muscles an opportunity to warm up, increasing flexibility for the long day ahead.  Many employers find this activity beneficial in other ways.  An enhanced sense of teamwork, visibly positive safety culture, reduced long term fatigue and improved overall employee health are among the many intangible benefits.  When senior management participates in these stretching activities, the employees see the commitment and respond accordingly.  The programs may appear difficult to implement initially but the rewards in the long term are great with minimal investments of time.  BHHC encourages proactive safety efforts and risk reduction activities such as pre-shift stretching routines.”