ERGONOMICS
The goal of this assessment is to "fit the task to the worker, not the worker to the task". A workstation evaluation is performed, looking for ergonomic risk factors that might, or may have already, caused musculoskeletal disorders (e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome, neck strain, low back injury, etc.) Recommendations for equipment, postural corrections, and procedural changes are made to help you see where your ergonomic risk factors can be reduced. Our specialists perform one-on-one ergonomic assessments right at employees’ workstations. Besides evaluating each employee’s physical environment and workstation setup, our assessments focus on specific work behaviors that may increase the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
Ergonomic evaluations have been shown to reduce workplace injuries, which in turn lowers the chance of a Worker's Compensation claim. Ergonomic evaluations also help employees get back to work by identifying problems in the workspace that may cause re-injury.
The Ergonomics Assessment performed by Safe-Tee Management will generally involve the following:
Initial Job/Task Observations
The Registered Nurse, will review the job(s)/task(s)/workstation(s) and discuss and record the main task steps that are required to complete the job objective(s). Also, any unusual job tasks or task steps that do not occur on a regular basis will be identified. This initial quick review helps to ensure that all aspects of the job are looked at during the analysis.
Detailed assessment and measurements
The detailed assessment will include one or more of the following elements:
- Job observations and recording of the task demands
- Discussions or interviews with workers to ensure all issues and concerns are taken into account
- Measurements of workstation or tool dimensions (heights, distances, etc.)
- Qualification of work postures (pictures, video, etc.)
- Workstation design features (controls, displays, human-machine interface designs, tool design, etc.)
- Quantification or qualification of environmental factors (lighting, temperature, vibration, noise, etc.)
- Quantification or qualification of factors related to the organizational culture and design (shift schedules, job design, work pace, work load, work stress, communication, feedback, etc.)
Report generation
Information collected during the Ergonomics Assessment will be compiled into a written report. A series of recommended administrative and/or engineering solutions to identified ergonomic concerns will be included in this report. Additional issues/concerns and recommendations may be added by the Registered Nurse during the preparation of the report. The time required to complete this report will vary depending on the complexity of the assessment.
The Ergonomics Assessment report is comprised of a number of useful and practical sections that can be used by a company to help to improve worker health & safety, productivity, and quality. The ergonomic concerns identified during the assessment are classified based on the risk they pose to workers and/or the work system (relative to other identified risks). Recommended solutions will be both administrative and engineering in nature, include suggested short term and long term actions, and, where possible, provide a number of alternative solutions to each concern identified.
Worker Training
Ergonomics Seminars
What is ergonomics anyway? Many people have heard the term ergonomics, but are unsure as to what it is. More importantly, they would like to know if ergonomics could help them. Ergonomics seminars are the best way to get an overview of ergonomics, which will in turn provide you with the knowledge to determine how you can benefit.
Seminars can be individually designed for groups of differing sizes and experience levels. The following is a list of topics typically covered in a 4 hour ergonomic training seminar:
Benefits
Safe-Tee Management has developed ergonomics programs, assessed work sites and trained workers in the elements of ergonomics for over 10 years. Our Registered Nurses are well adept at identifying factors that can lead to CTD’s in the workplace. Our assessments are performed utilising standardised checklists, employee interviews and known evaluation techniques.
Hearing Services