Occupational Health Consulting
- Ergonomic Consulting
- Functional Testing
- Physical Demands Analysis
- Educational Services
Ergonomic Consulting
An Individual Ergonomic Assessment is an in-depth evaluation of an individual’s physical work environment, including their workstation, job tasks, and daily work cycles, that focuses on correcting specific occupational injury pathologies.
Ideally, each component of the work environment should be placed in the optimum location for its purpose. This optimum location is determined on the basis of human capabilities, including sensory, anatomical and biomechanical abilities and limitations. This assessment can be used retroactively for injured workers or as part of the design process for renovation planning, or as part of the design of a new facility.
Upon request, an ergonomist will also oversee the implementation of recommended changes and appraise their effectiveness with an appropriately timed follow up. A Group Ergonomic Audit is a half-day program designed for groups of 6. It includes a 1-hour group educational session that will provide employees with the necessary skills to assess and evaluate their current workstation and make educated decisions using sound ergonomic principles. This session will also furnish the employee with the knowledge and information to make future modifications in light of new equipment or minor injuries and discomforts. Risk factors and signs and symptoms of repetitive strain injuries will also be discussed.
The consultant will also offer brief individual workstation assessments for each member of the group.
Contact us for more information or to set up an appointment today.
Functional Testing
The concept of Functional Testing of workers has existed for centuries. The need to determine the fitness for duty of an employee has become critical to the employer. With new legislation, the underwriting process for insurance places greater emphasis on the employer’s responsibility to make certain workers are not at risk when performing usual and customary job duties.
When performing any functional test, we concentrate on identifying a person’s positive physical attributes within a controlled and safe environment to determine how they can best be utilized in a specific workplace and identify the most appropriate job tasks for them within that environment.
The FOCUS computerized system, by Hanoun, applies advanced, peer-reviewed protocols and unbiased technology to address the referral questions. We can per-form the following tests on-site or in our venue:
Post Offer of Employment
This test is performed in compliance with the Human Rights Code and Bill 99, subsequent to the offer of employment by the employer to a candidate. The report will identify if a worker is able to meet the physical demands of a particular position.
Continuing Fitness-for-Duty
This test is performed at periodic intervals subsequent to the commencement of employment by the employee. It is usually performed at regular intervals to determine if a worker still possesses the ability to perform the essential functions of his or her position in a safe manner.
Return to Work Evaluation
Return to Work evaluation is performed to determine if an individual has the capacities necessary to return to work. In most cases, the evaluation is limited to testing the critical functions identified by the physician and/or the worker that may have an impact on the ability of the employee to perform required job duties.
Functional Capacity Evaluation
Functional Capacity Evaluation is performed when a disability determination requires an outline of the capacity of an individual in relation to an impairment or impairments. This comprehensive evaluation is used to determine the impact of an impairment on an individual’s residual capacity for work-related activities.
Physical Demands Analysis
A Physical Demands Analysis [PDA] is a quantitative examination of the physical demands of the essential duties of a specific job.
A PDA can help us better understand the interaction between a worker and their specific working environment or equipment.
A PDA can vary from a general overview of a job and its tasks to a detailed description of the forces required to perform one specific operation.
A PDA can serve many functions in a variety of working environments, from a new office space to a well-established manufacturing plant.
A PDA can help to:
- Create or update accurate job descriptions
- Identify problems in an existing job or workplace
- Help identify issues and potential problems before a new design or system is implemented
- Trace the origin of an injury
- Provide medical professionals with guidelines for an employee’s safe return to work
- Identify areas where ergonomic changes may be required
- Establish a screening system for job applicants to ensure safety and improve productivity
Educational Services
We believe that education is the key to creating a healthy and productive work environment and in turn, offer a diverse group of instructional seminars and workshops on the basic principles of office or industrial ergonomics, occupational health and safety, musculoskeletal injury prevention, and fitness and lifestyle counseling.
The basic course outlines are detailed below. All courses are easily modified to suit specific needs:
Introduction to the Science of Ergonomics
The course is designed to furnish Occupation Health and Safety Officers with the necessary skills to perform assessments and make sound ergonomic recommendations for both healthy and injured workers. Applicants should have a basic background in anatomy and physiology.
Office Ergonomics
A proactive approach to office ergonomics will address risk factors associated with the onset of repetitive strain injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and identify postures and techniques to avoid discomfort and injuries in an office environment.
The Office Athlete
A series of Lunch & Learn seminars designed to promote a healthy lifestyle and a health-wise working environment. You can pick topics from our lists or generate ideas from your staff.
CPR Certification and First Aid Training
To learn more about our educational services, contact us today.