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Every year approximately 35% of the working population in the U.K. suffer from back pain with a further 17% complaining of aches in their arms and legs. The U.K. loses up to 6 billion pounds in lost production each year due to these work-related musculo-skeletal problems.
Many of these problems are caused by poor working practices. Ergonomics aims to fit the work to the worker, thus reducing any stresses or strains, be they physical or psychological, on the worker. Thus correct office ergonomics will have a positive effect on the health of the workforce and be reflected in the companys overall performance.
Physio at Work specialises in providing on-site assessment and training in Ergonomics whether it be an individual workstation assessment, backcare awareness class or a group manual handling training session. Please contact us at info@physioatwork.co.uk for further information.
Ergonomic Work Station Assessments
In the office environment it is important to have workstations set up appropriately to enable the worker to work comfortably and hence perform. It is also a legal necessity for employers to carry out workstation assessments (Health and Safety Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992).
A work station assessment will analyse the ergonomics of the workplace in order to identify and alleviate unhealthy postures, stressful body movement and poor working practices.
The aim of the assessment is to identify any factors which may affect the worker by causing current or future health problems, or reduced work performance. The risk factors may be related to working posture, the design of the work area, equipment design, job design or the way in which the worker carries out a task.
Assessment and report
An ergonomist will spend approximately 30-60 minutes with the worker and a report will be produced after the assessment. The report from the assessment will list any problems that were identified by the assessor. The report will also provide any recommendations for changes related to work equipment (e.g. suitable chair, keyboard etc.), work-station lay-out, training or task design. Recommended equipment will also be discussed with a list of known suppliers and cost estimates.
Fee
Physio at Work is able to provide a qualified ergonomist to carry out workstation assessments in your office. The cost of this service is £90/hour (£225 minimum charge). The fee will include travel time and costs, time spent carrying out assessment/s and time taken to prepare report.
Backcare Awareness class*
This is a ½ day course that will educate participants on good backcare. It is designed for office workers and those that may be carrying out lifting tasks as part of their work. After the course participants will:
Have a basic understanding of the structure and biomechanics of the spine.
Be able to discuss the risk factors of back pain.
Be able to recognise dangerous postures and explain why they are dangerous.
Be able to demonstrate correct posture and body movement when standing and during handling.
Have a repertoire of basic exercises to continue with at work and home to improve their spinal strength and flexibility.
Fee
The fee for this course is £350.00.
Manual Handling Training*
This ½ day course is designed for workers who are carrying out lifting and handling tasks as part of their work. It will cover the following topics:
The employer's and employee's responsibilities for HSE compliance.
Basic spinal anatomy and biomechanics
Common types and mechanisms of manual handling injuries
How to identify and reduce risks of manual handling relative to work practices and individual behaviour (method of lifting, posture, benefits of exercise etc.)
How to identify and reduce risks of manual handling relative to the task, the load and the working environment
Demonstration and practice of basic handling techniques
Individual benefits of manual handling education- health and performance, benefits of exercise
Demonstration of basic handling techniques
Discussion of manual handling problems specific to employees.
Fee
The fee for this course is £350.00.
* All courses can be modified to suit individual requirements.
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