Ergonomics in the healthcare industry

Back stress is a major issue in the healthcare industry. Because in spite of potential preventative measures, nursing and care personnel have to move patients and/or residents manually at times. Lifting techniques are not part of a standard work method. By introducing a participative lifting policy, you will be able to motivate employees to save their back while working, according to a method tailored to suit your organisation.

Prevent rather than cure: designer ergonomics

Whether you are renovating or building a new-build, considering a move within your company, developing new workstations or purchasing furniture or work equipment, the design phase is the ideal moment to request advice from our ergonomists. Our experts will advise you, e.g., with design plans, the design of rooms, the choice of equipment, hoisting equipment, etc. This will help you prevent complaints and (more expensive) corrective measures in the future.

Ergonomic evaluation of posture stress and risks incurred while lifting on the work floor

An ergonomic evaluation can be part of your global prevention plan, or be integrated in the treatment of individual and collective back complaints.

This evaluation starts with an observation intervention: Based on scientific evaluation methods, the ergonomist will carry out a task analysis and will evaluate the lifting risk. This will give him an idea of the extent of the risk of back complaints for an individual or a group of employees.

This is followed by a participative intervention, which reviews the workstations, together with the employee(s) involved, according to a constructive method and looks for solutions.

You will receive a report including practical solutions and improvement advice. This will help you set priorities in the action plan.

Group sessions to raise awareness among employees

During a two-hour, interactive session, we will work on raising awareness among employees regarding back problems. A simple participatory risk analysis will raise employees’ commitment to the application of the lifting policy. We explain the basic principles of back-friendly positions and back-friendly work using the lift chart.

Posture training and working techniques

We start with a short, but essential dynamic posture training in order to learn the basics of back-friendly work. We will repeat this session during the awareness training as well as at the beginning of each training.

Based on the outcome of the (participative) risk analysis, we will choose a number of working techniques, which we will teach and practice. These sessions are organised in small groups, with existing equipment, sometimes even on the job. The emphasis is on individual corrections and coaching.

Follow-up with coaching

Repeat sessions are absolutely necessary to arrive at a long-lasting effect. You can rely on Securex Health & Safety Solutions to assure this follow-up via coaching sessions on the work floor. But Securex can also help you train an internal coach (see below).

Train the trainer as internal coach

The internal coach manages and develops the practical application of the lifting policy within the organisation. To this end, he has to have the necessary knowledge and practical skills, as well as a number of teaching qualities. The proposed train the trainer course is devised in such a way that coaches deploy and develop these skills during four days of training. The internal coach can always call on Securex for external support and the follow-up of his task.

Re-integration and subsidies after a long period of unfitness for work

A prevention programme will promote the return to work after a period of lower back pain. Medical literature has shown that such programmes reduce the risk of an evolution towards chronic lower back pain. Read more about the prevention programme after returning to work after lower back pain.

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