Teamwork On The Ice & On The Job
by Mitchel Musselman, ATC
Hockey players aren’t the only athletes who suit up knowing the day will demand toughness, awareness, and teamwork. Industrial athletes face similar hazards on their own “ice,” where fast-paced tasks, shared spaces, and sharp tools put wrists and hands at constant risk. The parallels between the rink and the work floor are closer than you might think. From coordinated teamwork to navigating a fast-changing environment and managing injury risk, the same fundamentals that keep hockey players safe and effective apply just as directly on the job.
Play Your Position
Hockey is full of moving parts, including both the athletes themselves and their equipment. If a team isn’t moving together, this organized chaos quickly becomes just chaos, and that’s when trouble starts. Hockey requires players to work as a unit, constantly aware of where their teammates are and how their actions affect the play.
The same applies in the industrial setting. While an industrial athlete is moving a part (or puck), a teammate may need to be in the right position to take over and complete the task. When teams aren’t aligned, the risk increases, and someone can end up getting struck by a puck… err… we mean, a tool or piece of equipment.
Line changes are another key part of hockey, allowing players to step off the ice, recover, and stay ready for the next shift. On the job, this looks like having backup available, sharing the workload, or giving yourself a brief break when needed. These moments of recovery help industrial athletes stay focused, efficient, and ready for what comes next.
Read The Rink
Like hockey players, industrial athletes often find themselves working in hazardous conditions. Icy or slippery surfaces mean slowing down, paying attention to footing, and staying aware of surroundings. Just as hockey players adjust how they move on skates, industrial athletes should step diagonally and take shorter steps, waddling like a penguin to reduce the risk of slipping.
Both environments also involve objects moving at high speeds. Whether it’s a puck on the ice or a piece of metal on the job, awareness is critical. Staying alert and wearing the proper PPE helps protect industrial athletes from unexpected contact and keeps small hazards from turning into serious injuries.
Hands In The Game
Similar to hockey players, the industrial setting places a significant amount of stress on the hands and wrists.
Whether it’s striking a puck or using a torque gun, repeated force and awkward positions can increase injury risk. Maintaining proper wrist positioning helps reduce strain and keeps athletes working more efficiently.
Hands and wrists are also at high risk for being struck by sticks, tools, or equipment, leading to contusions or lacerations. Taking time to debrief and recuperate after a shift helps identify issues early, manage fatigue, and ensure you’re ready for the next shift change.
Teamwork Prevents
Industrial athletes face real athletic demands every day, and no one manages them alone. When teams move with intention, stay aware of their surroundings, and protect one another, prevention becomes part of the job. When everyone plays their role, Teamwork Prevents injuries.
Mitchel Musselman, ATC || Mitchel has his Bachelor’s in Athletic Training along with over 9 years of athletic training experience. In addition to the industrial setting, he has worked in the high school and orthopedic clinic settings. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing, video games, spending time with his wife, two young children, and two dogs (Jordy and Oakley).
Be sure to check out our other blogs for further injury prevention education and tips for the industrial athlete from Work Right NW!