Welcome Guest! The IOSH forums are a free resource to both members and non-members. Login or register to use them

Postings made by forum users are personal opinions. IOSH is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any of the information contained in forum postings. Please carefully consider any advice you receive.

Notification

Icon
Error

Options
Go to last post Go to first unread
michaelt  
#1 Posted : 19 July 2012 09:50:09(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
michaelt

We have an admin staff who has returned to work after a spinal operation. The injury was not sustained at work. We have re-assessed her work station and offered her an upgraded chair to the normal office chairs. Is there anything else that we need to consider.
User is suspended until 03/02/2041 16:40:57(UTC) Ian.Blenkharn  
#2 Posted : 19 July 2012 10:14:07(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Ian.Blenkharn

Lifting, carrying, bending, stretching etc. Time to move around and loosen up if required. I've been there myself, but the circumstances and subsequent needs may be radically different. Try talking to her!
Bob Shillabeer  
#3 Posted : 19 July 2012 12:04:46(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Bob Shillabeer

You describe this lady as admin and therefore we can assume she works in an office and you have given her another chair which hopefully she was involved in the selection process, that's fine so far. But, let's take a step back, have you asked her to undergo some sort of medical? I ask this because you need to fully understand her needs from a medical view point. Is she for instance able to move around without any difficulty, thinking of emergency evacuation, can she sit for extended periods and as Ian says does she do any lifting, carrying, bending or stretching. Only a review of her condition with a qualified medical person would uncover all you need to consider.
Graham Bullough  
#4 Posted : 19 July 2012 12:37:41(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Graham Bullough

Excellent reply by Ian.B. His mention of "time to move around and loosen up if required" reminds me of a good colleague who had suffered a spinal injury in his former job. After 2 operations in recent years he found that he was unable to remain sat for long in any chair without discomfort. After he explained this to the rest of our team, we understood why he would tend to stand up and walk about for short spells from time to time during meetings. Also, when some of us underwent training to train others in using emergency evacuation chairs, it was mutually agreed that he could not undergo such training himself and this explained to the external trainer we used. Even though he didn't undergo the training himself, our colleague came along and gave useful practical feedback through being able and willing to join us in taking turns as a "guinea pig" passenger during the practical sessions. As for appropriate person/s (trusted supervisor, OS&H person and/or OH doctor) talking to the employee, this is crucial for any employee with a temporary or chronic medical condition - not least to avoid "Does s/he take sugar" syndrome. Each one is different with different degrees of need. Also, as their needs can vary over time, it's worth checking with such employees from time to time whether any changes in arrangements need to be considered.
firesafety101  
#5 Posted : 19 July 2012 15:17:23(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
firesafety101

As Ian says try talking to her, but more importantly try listening to her.
KieranD  
#6 Posted : 19 July 2012 19:50:54(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
KieranD

Michaelt You labelled your question, 'How far do you go.....?': Loftstedt's report provides a simple but challenging answer, 'as far as reasonably practicable'. Your apparent assumptions about an 'upgraded chair' appear to have excluded the option of other forms of standard support while working, in particular a sit/stand kind of chair and/or kneeler. Unless you carry out, or commission, a thoroughly professional ergonomic analysis, that includes a detailed profile of the work movements and interactions, as well as use the available orthopaedic reports (with the employee's agreement', you've hardly gone 'as far as reaonably practicable'. If you're not familar with the options, the well-researched 'Bodyspace' by Pheasant (editions 1 and 2) or Pheasant and Haslegrave (edition 3) explains what's involved.
Graham Bullough  
#7 Posted : 19 July 2012 21:02:27(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Graham Bullough

As Firesafety101 has highlighted, listen to what the employee says. She may well have had discussions with doctors before and after her operation about what adaptations she will or might need. If she can already provide reasonable information, there's no point in spending money on a full ergonomic analysis, etc. She might not even need any special chairs and/or other furniture. As an example, one of my relatives has had an impaired back for years but has no problem using an ordinary adjustable office chair provided that its backrest angle and height can be readily adjusted to what she needs. Each person with a medical condition is different in various respects and therefore should be dealt with according to how their condition affects them and influences their particular needs.
bilbo  
#8 Posted : 20 July 2012 12:51:46(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
bilbo

Been there - had significant surgery, a couple of feet of steel, some screws and a bone graft later meant that I could return to work in the full knowledge that there were going to be restrictions on what I could and could not do. Absolutely essential that you agree with the affected person exactly what their limitations may be (if any) and the likely duration of same. As time progresses and the individual concerned develops and gets used to their new & improved (hopefully) condition things may alter - so this discussion must be ongoing.
Users browsing this topic
Guest
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.