Post on 30-Dec-2015
description
Introduction to Ergonomics in Animal Care
Awareness Training Proposal
Veterinary Teaching Hospital
Critical Care Unit
Critical Care Unit Critical Care Unit
Veterinary Teaching HospitalHistory of Work Related
Injuries○ Back, knees
Request for ergonomic evaluation & trainingRequested by VTH
Upper Administration
Critical Care Unit Multiple ergonomic evaluations have taken
place in the past Previous administration provided
recommendationsNo significant changes were made
Further modifications to the work environment were recommended
Training was recommended for staff at that time as well
Problem/Need Statement
Problem/Need Statement
The environment of the critical care unit needs the appropriate worksite and process changes to help counteract the injury problem
Need for awareness trainingEmployees appear are unaware of
appropriate use of work practice controls that may aide in injury prevention
Problem/Need Statement Currently, not all of the correct workplace
controls are place to mitigate the identified problems
Workplace controls must be addressed
With budget constraints, the proper worksite modifications are unlikely
Awareness training is one way to help correct the injury problem
Problem/Need Statement
Although training alone may not solve the injury problem completely, effective training can help teach employees to utilize the skills and avoid exposure to injury risk factors
Problem/Need Statement
Time involved in managing injuries is a large burdenAdequate record keeping, case
management, medical payment tracking○ Costly and time consuming
Overall cost of injuries are elevated
Problem/Need Statement
Employees in the critical care unit support the need for the appropriate worksite modification and awareness training
In drastic injury cases, an employee may be forced to change careers and find alternative work because of disability resulting from injuryInjuries impact work and personal time/hobbies
Problem/Need Statement
Because of nature of the work performed in the environment it is being performed, the existence of barriers to ideal workplace modifications are apparentAwareness training is highly warranted
Audience Analysis
Audience Analysis
Although multiple ergonomic evaluations and worksite visits have been performed CCU in the past, a more thorough audience analysis was conducted to aide the instructional design process.
Results of the analysis were used to write appropriate goals and objectives for the training course
Audience Analysis
The audience analysis questionnaire was modified several times throughout the instructional design process in order to ensure appropriate and effective information would be attained
Audience Analysis Questionnaire The designed
questionnaire consisted of 10 total questions
Questions used to determine level of ergonomics knowledge, experience on the job, previous injury, etc
See handout
Audience Analysis
Survey Monkey was used to administer the analysis questionnaire
Initially, only 3 of 14 employees responded online
Because responses were low, hard copies were taken and physically administered to CCU staff
Ultimately, 11 out of 14 total employees responded to the audience analysis questionnaire
Audience Analysis ResultsErgonomics Knowledge Background
1. Respondents have a beginner’s level of ergonomics
Animal Care Work Experience
2. All employees have at least 5 years experiencea. 45.5% of employees had 15 or more years
experience
b. 36.4% of employees had 11-15 years of experience
c. 18.2% employees had 6-10 years of experience
Audience Analysis ResultsWork Related Injuries Experienced
3. 9.1% (1 out of the 11) of employees experienced 0 injuries when dealing specifically with animal care
a) 90.9% of employees experienced responded that they have had at least 1 injury
b) 2 employees (18.2%) reported that they have experienced 1-2 injuries
c) 3 employees (27.3%) have experienced 3-4 injuries
d) 5 employees (45.5%) have experienced 5 or more injuries while caring for or handling animals
Audience Analysis ResultsPain/Discomfort Experienced While on
the Job
4. All eleven employees (100%) reported experiencing at least on instance where they experienced pain or discomfort which they felt was related to caring for or handling animals
a) 63.6% reported they have experienced pain or discomfort 5 or more times
Audience Analysis ResultsUse of Ergonomics on the Job in the Past
5. Results to question 5 were not as expecteda) 72% of employees said that they have used
ergonomics in the past while caring for animals
Further elaboration of this question would have been useful to provide additional insight
Audience Analysis ResultsSacrificing Personal Health and Safety
6. 18.2% of employees feel they only sacrifice their health and safety to care for an animal 0-10% of the day,
a) 9.1% (1 employee) felt this is done 11-25% of the day
b) 18.2% (2 employees) reported this is done 26-50% of the day
c) 54.6% (6 employees) responded this is done 51-75% or 76-100% of the day
Audience Analysis ResultsDefining Ergonomics Risk Factors
7. Question asked in essay forma) Many employees responded that they did not understand
the question
b) Common answers or themes were that the question was not understood, the question was confusing
c) It is possible that the question was poorly worded i. Employees who understood the question responded with
expected answers including, bending, lifting and manipulating animals
Further expansion of this question may have been useful. It may however be that employees do not know what ergonomics injury risk factors are
Audience Analysis ResultsBarriers to Implementing Ergonomics
8. Question asked in essay forma) Responses - time, money, emergency
situations, and unpredictable patients
b) Responses were somewhat expected and create barriers to effective training
c) Issues in the work environment may prohibit ergonomics training from being as effective
Audience Analysis ResultsPhysically Demanding Aspects of Job
9. Question asked in essay forma. Responses surround dealing with large animals
of large size, long work durations, and awkward postures with high levels of stress
b. Many of these issues, especially long work durations may not be modifiable and will create additional challenges
c. Asking employees if and how these barriers could be modified would have been beneficial to gain a greater understanding of this issue
Audience Analysis ResultsPerception of Ergonomics in Animal Care
10. Over 80% of employees responded that ergonomics is either important or very important (54.5% and 27.3% respectively)
a) Remaining 18.2% reported they were neutral on their personal opinion of ergonomics in the field of animal care
Further expansion of this question may have been useful. Asking why employees rated the response the way they did would have provided further insight
Audience Analysis Results After conducting the audience analysis, it
was determined that initial assumptions were incorrect
Without the inclusion of this valuable step in the instructional design process, the training design may have been inappropriate
Course goals and objectives were based off of results of Audience Analysis
Goals & Objectives
Goals & Objectives
The written goals & objectives were modified throughout the instructional design process as additional information was gathered
Final goals & objectives are to follow
Goals & Objectives
1. Employees are more aware of ergonomic issuesa) List basic ergonomics principles and discuss reasons
why each principle can be utilized on the job
b) List the signs and symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders and discuss why early reporting of signs and symptoms is important
c) Recall impact of injuries to work and personal time
d) When given a description or picture of an occupational injury risk factor in the workplace, the learner will be able to recognize the risk factor and suggest a method to control or eliminate exposure to the injury risk factor
Goals & Objectives
2. Effectively use ergonomic hazard control equipment & techniques in the workplace
a) When moving a large heavy animal from the floor to the exam table, describe at least one ergonomics hazard control strategy that can be used on the job to avoid injury and discuss why this strategy would be most beneficial
b) Demonstrate the use of an ergonomics engineering control, administrative control and work practice control
Goals & Objectives
3. Employees will be more innovative with regard to using ergonomics on the job
a) When presented with an ergonomic hazard when no specific ergonomic tool is present, the learner will be able to propose an innovative solution
Goals & Objectives
Design of the course was geared to meet the goals and objectives
These will help ensure learning of basic ergonomics will occur
Course Assessment
Course Assessment
The course assessment consists of 3 different partsQuestions were written to ensure the goals
and objectives of the course are met
1. Written Test
2. In Class Checklist
3. Jobsite Checklist
Course Assessment
Test Questions are written to ensure learners meet written objectives 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d(i) 2a, 3a
Course Assessment
The simple in class checklists was developed to help ensure that during instruction, learner progress is tracked and objectives 1d(ii), 2b are met
Course Content
Course Content
See syllabus handout
Includes outline of course
Sample course slides to follow Not all slides are included
Course ContentExample Slides
Types of MSD’s Carpal Tunnel Tendonitis & bursitis Tenosynovitis Epicondlyitis Trigger Finger Back strain,
herniated disc Etc
Why should I report early?
Acute injuries can easily become chronic injuries Can lead to disability, even
surgery!
Early treatment is more successful
Report signs & symptoms
Think about ergonomic solutions
40
Ergonomics Definitions
Designing the job to fit the worker, not forcing the worker to fit the job
Make physically demanding job tasks as easy on the body as possible!
41
Which Is Most Likely to Create a Back Injury?
A. B. C.
42
Engineering Controls
Eliminating the Problem
These controls help eliminate injury risk exposure
These controls are ideal!○ Sometimes difficult to
implement
43
Identify the Risk Factors
AWKWARD POSTURE
CONTACT STRESS
FORCE
Ideal Solutions
Don’t lift
45
Course Evaluation Plan
Course Evaluation Plan
Evaluation plan includes formative and summative evaluations
Course Evaluation
Information gathered will be shared with upper managementIllustrate how participants felt about the
course and whether it was beneficial
Managers of the CCU will be includedBuy-in is crucial
Formative Evaluation Included throughout the 2-hour course
Results incorporated near end of course
Evaluation to include simple questions including:Any specific questions from learnersIssues or concerns
Depending on responses, a more detailed discussion with the class may be needed
Formative Evaluation At the half way point of the class, additional
formative evaluation questions will be asked.
Questions to include:Is class helpful thus far?Is the class to basic?Is the class to advanced?How is the class going overall?
Additional discussion near the end of the course will take place to address the responses from learners
Summative Evaluation
Hard copy evaluations will be provided immediately following the course
See handout
Includes copy of summative evaluation
Course Delivery
Course will be ready to present early December 2011
Follow up observation will take place periodically after the course
Ergonomic Evaluation
Ergonomic Evaluation
Although awareness training is valuable, changes to the work environment are also necessary
Ergonomic evaluation results reveal a risk for injury. Ergonomic engineering controls are needed to reduce risk for injury
Ergonomic Evaluation Changes needed
include:Height adjustable cagesLift tables/cartsCage modificationsSlingsAnti-fatigue matsShoesCage Drawers
See Ergonomic Evaluation Report for recommendation details
Questions??
Frank Gonzales491-2724Frank.Gonzales@colostate.eduwww.ehs.colostate.edu/ergonomics