Episode 12: Saving Backs One Worker at a Time with the Industrial Athletic Trainer Society

When you think of an athletic trainer, you probably picture the sidelines of an NFL game or a college dugout. But what happens when you bring that same level of elite healthcare to a construction site, a warehouse, or a manufacturing plant?

In this episode, Susan from the Industrial Athletic Trainer Society (IATS) joins Zac to discuss the "Industrial Athlete", the American worker whose physical body is their paycheck. Susan shares how IATS advocates for proactive healthcare, shifting the focus from reactive "sick care" to preventative wellness that keeps workers healthy, mobile, and out of the ER.

Host:
Zac Brown: “The Non-Profit Guy”
Linkedin:   / zacjordanbrown  

Guests:
Susan Taah, President of Industrial Athletic Trainers' Society
Website: https://www.industrialats.com/
LinkedIn:   / iatsofficial  

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Key Takeaways
What is an Industrial Athletic Trainer? Unlike nurses or EMTs who are often called only when something goes wrong, Athletic Trainers (ATs) are embedded in the workforce. They are there when workers are healthy, observing biomechanics and identifying risks before injuries occur.

The "Door to the Injury": Susan shares a fascinating story about how recurring shoulder injuries in beer delivery drivers weren't just a physical issue; they were caused by malfunctioning trailer doors. By fixing the equipment, they fixed the healthcare problem.

Beyond Musculoskeletal Care: Industrial ATs tackle everything from heat stress (a major risk in construction) to "Gen-Med" issues like gout, hypertension, and diabetes, often serving as the first point of medical contact for workers who haven't seen a doctor in years.

The "Fruit Tuesday" Success: Learn how a simple wellness survey led to a company-wide fruit delivery program, introducing workers to healthy nutrition and closing the gap between education and accessibility.

A Holistic, Zero-Cost Model: Because these services are typically funded by employers or through insurance premiums, they are free to the employee, allowing ATs to focus purely on the person rather than billing codes.

The Industrial Athlete's Health Hierarchy
Prevention: Ergonomic assessments and "warm-up" routines for the job.

Immediate Care: On-site response to acute injuries (e.g., concrete burns or heat exhaustion).

Treatment/Rehab: Getting workers back to full function without the need for expensive off-site physical therapy.

Wellness: Mental health support, financial education, and nutritional guidance.
Resources Mentioned

Industrial Athletic Trainer Society (IATS): www.industrialats.com
NIOSH WellBQ: A survey tool used to assess worker well-being.
Upcoming Event: The IATS Virtual Summit (Held annually in March).

Connect with IATS
LinkedIn: Industrial Athletic Trainer Society
Facebook/Instagram: @IndustrialATSociety
Website: industrialats.com