An important component of Ergonomics is education; it helps to ensure workplace behaviour is changed and results in fewer injuries as a result.
Communicating this message in a wide range of environments and to a broad ethnic and demographic audience profile is challenging but PDM has significant experience in tailoring its message to the environment and the audience to have maximum effect to ensure comprehension.
PDM often designs two unique presentations that are aimed at employees and managers, respectively to ensure they understand their roles and responsibilities in the implementation of ergonomic guidelines and reporting /evaluation process. The process is developed working with the employer to respond to existing environments utilizing, workshops and documentation, or more cost effective tools such as E-Learning and webinars. (samples can be provided upon request)
It is critical that information delivered to the employees address identification of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD), hazards, proper ergonomic applications of biomechanics and utilization of tools. The information delivered to managers/supervisors will vary to some degree to include direction to assist managers to ensure employees incorporate proper ergonomic applications in the workplace. (For further discussion it is suggested protocols are in place to help supervisors/managers identify when employees are not following proper ergonomic applications as per the MSD Prevention Program and to appropriately address and manage these situations early).
We develop a process (if not in place) where employees can identify special hazards (i.e. pregnancy issues, medical issues, repetitive injury issues) and report to management in early stages to prevent more serious injury and/or lost time. Once reported immediate steps can be taken by the client to identify solutions that will keep the employee safely at work (i.e. ergonomic assessments, collection of medical for workplace accommodation).
