Rank: Super forum user 
|
Morning all,
When I do the new starter inductions I normally include manual handling as part of the course which includes having the new employee assume the correct posture.
The other day I had a lady with arthritic knees so could not bend them. Have advised to obtain assistance for picking items off the floor. Is there anything else that should be included for the future?
Also the question: Is there any other form of training that would cover MH plus other types of induction and medical conditions that should be covered as an alternative to 'Normal' training conditions?
Over to you and all suggestions appreciated.
Badger
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user 
|
You could suggest she use a trolley to move items and to "push" rather than "pull". The postal type trolleys are not too bad (we use them in our offices to move files) as the basket is at about waist height for most of our staff so no excessive lifting required i.e. past shoulder height or from below knee level.
Also, if she can store her equipment / files in a cabinet at waist height rather than having to reach down into a drawer to lift things out. If she does have a pedestal drawer system, to store lighter items the lower the drawer may also help.
Encourage her to ask for help from colleagues so she doesn't try to overdo the lifting herself. Most people will help a colleague if they ask but might walk by if they don't...
Don't know what kind of work you do but;
If the staff work with computers then DSE awareness - how to set up their workstation correctly [could give a practical demonstratrion and hold a "chair clinic" to show them what all the bits and bobs on the chair actaully do...you'd be surprised at the number of people who "say" they know how to adjust their chair but when asked to raise it, have no idea where to start!].
Accident reporting another thing to cover...where to access the forms, what information YOU would find helpful [a la Sherlock Holmes investigation].
good luck!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
Hello Barrie
Implicit in the comment from Melrose, the expression 'the correct posture' may well be misleading especially in the content to which you refer, as many postures are 'correct' depending on the specific task, the shape and mass of a load, the height, weight and lengths of limbs of the person involved, as well as floor conditions.
If your question, 'Is there any other form of training that would cover MH plus other types of induction and medical conditions that should be covered as an alternative to 'Normal' training conditions?', includes videos, webinars and podcasts, you may find suitable materials from the professional societies, ASSE and HFES, the companies Humantech and Auburn Engineers in the USA and the websites of HF gurus Thomas Barnard (Univ Florida) and Alan Hedges Cornell Univ)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
Melrose80086 wrote:You could suggest she use a trolley to move items and to "push" rather than "pull". The postal type trolleys are not too bad (we use them in our offices to move files) as the basket is at about waist height for most of our staff so no excessive lifting required i.e. past shoulder height or from below knee level.
Also, if she can store her equipment / files in a cabinet at waist height rather than having to reach down into a drawer to lift things out. If she does have a pedestal drawer system, to store lighter items the lower the drawer may also help.
Encourage her to ask for help from colleagues so she doesn't try to overdo the lifting herself. Most people will help a colleague if they ask but might walk by if they don't...
Don't know what kind of work you do but;
If the staff work with computers then DSE awareness - how to set up their workstation correctly [could give a practical demonstratrion and hold a "chair clinic" to show them what all the bits and bobs on the chair actaully do...you'd be surprised at the number of people who "say" they know how to adjust their chair but when asked to raise it, have no idea where to start!].
Accident reporting another thing to cover...where to access the forms, what information YOU would find helpful [a la Sherlock Holmes investigation].
good luck!
I see nothing in the OP to assume she is office staff I'd love to watch your induction course "which includes having the new employee assume the correct posture" - sounds highly amusing to me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
Thanks Mel
Does anyone have medical conditions in employees they have to work around and what was the non normal way did you 'correct' the situation?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
Hi Barrie,
Have you tried asking her how she would overcome the situation? She will most likely have developed her own coping method for picking things up. It may be that you have to observe her using her own method and identifiy anything that could be improved within her capabilities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
Couple,of things;
Was going with the lady with arthritic knees mentioned by the OP (ergo female) and help for her specifically re: suggestion of trolley.
Didn't realise I'd given implicit instructions about posture just that MH above and below head height isn't recommended (HSE guidance I might add...).
I also didn't mention "new employees or assuming the correct posture at induction training" at all in my posting so no idea where that's coming from..I did mention correct WORKSTATION set up but was meaning more on the lines of not over stretching for items on the desk, taking the time to adjust the chair, screen height etc...though in the training I DO provide at induction, I stress that staff should take the time to look at their workstation before sitting down to work rather than sit in an awkward position as "that's how it was set up when I started work".
Did say I didn't know what type of work the person did but made some suggestions as now work with office based staff myself so was thinking of things I'd cover...presumptuous perhaps but was giving ideas - thought that was the idea of a forum so people could ask for help (OP) and others give suggestions. Also, when I was typing, the blurb that usually appears under the persons name was missing and hadnt noticed the field the OP was in until after I'd posted and there is no edit facility to add or subtract once posted.
Got a few members of staff with issues either they or occupational health have raised (including arthritis, severe hearing loss, broken limbs, recovering from cancer treatment to name but a few). Tend to do a one to one assessment with them (also did ergonomics as a consultant for over 8 years before moving to H&S so did a fair number of specialist assessments for organisations from manufacturing lines to nuclear industry, offices and hotels). Only one course have I actually tailored specifically for a person and she had severe hearing loss so required an interpreter so I could speak at my normal speed for the rest of the group - though did make a point to ensure she was positioned where she could read my lips and slowed down slightly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.