Blood may be thicker than water, but the American College of Occupational and Educational Medicine (ACOEM) found factors other than genetics and childhood environment affect productivity in the workplace. An ACOEM study revealed outside factors may impact a worker's risk of going on medical leave or disability.

Ph.D. student Asa Samuelsson led the study as researchers used a database including nearly 53,000 Swedish twins born between 1952 and 1958. The research team examined twin studies because they provide unique information on the impact of genetics and early life experiences on health and illness. Occupational Health & Safety notes the average percentage of participants on disability pension was 10.7 percent annually from 1992 to 2007.

The researchers' findings suggest genetic and familial factors play an insignificant role, if any, in long-term disability risk. The study showed marital status was a stronger risk factor in men than women while risk was also higher for people living in rural areas.

Employers can minimize workplace risk and implement injury prevention programs with web-based software. Online solutions provide safety managers the tools to understand short-term and long-term risk to develop injury-free workplaces. Supervisors can implement standards in any size organization using online programs.