Posted By Richard Spencer
Amanda
Much of my work is as an expert witness with several firms of lawyers. Here I have written complex opinion on, back, shoulder, leg, ankle, arm, neck and head injury, in the context of a ‘frank injury’. I have also provided expert written opinion in respect to repetitive strain injury from the perspective of ‘nature and conditions’ terms that would no doubt be familiar with, and therefore know the difference. I was able to do this because of my academic background in engineering and safety as many of the principles ensconced therein are mirrored in the science of biomechanics, and ergonomics. I have made an extensive study of the subject and have benefited from the work of experts in this field.
I do not suggest that you emulate my career path but may I be so bold as to suggest an alternative and more direct route to the your goal. Given your background you could consider enrolling in a distance education course at Graduate Diploma level, initially, as the first step in subject matter acquisition. Your first degree should vouch for your competency at an academic level.
As OHS has a broad spectrum I suggest you look at ergonomics. This would be of interest to you as it would examine the causative effects of musculoskeletal injury and the mechanics of injury, suffered by Plaintiff’s with whom you may have been acquainted.
By example my partner, was in a similar position and I encouraged her to a Graduate Diploma in Ergonomics. This looks at Statistics, Mechanics, Anatomy, Principles of Ergonomics, Organisational Behaviour, Research Methods, and Risk Management to name a few. I believe this would give you a comprehensive start into broad spectrum of OHS and provide an inestimable growth in knowledge to the various outcome events of injury.
The field this would be of value in would in, injury management, claims investigation equipment design, and training in the processes of Manual Handling, such as Nursing.
The next step would be into the more prevent area of OHS, which is the management of people in the paradigm of ‘man/machine/environment. This looks at management systems and studies methods by which an event can be minimise or eliminated.
Write to me if I can be of further assistance.
Richard