Musculoskeletal Disorders are a major cause on injury/illness in the American workplace. Participatory ergonomics has been advocated as an effective, if not requisite component of hazard reduction. Despite the Congressional veto of the Ergonomic Standard, many employers are moving forward to address ergonomic problems. Using an intervention in the healthcare industry as a case example, we will explore the advantages and potential pitfalls of designing and implementing a participatory ergonomic project designed to reduce low back injury in direct care providers at a long term care nursing facility. Topics include: recruiting an ergonomics team, developing and using injury data, root cause analysis, equipment and program evaluation and vendor demonstrations.
Learning Objectives: Analyze the Organization of Work issues involved in creating a participatory ergonomics team. List at least two advantages of a participatory team approach to ergonomics. Discuss the organizational barriers and possible solutions to participation by front-line health care workers in health and safety programs.
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.