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Results from the Physical Job Demand Analysis allows us to design a pre-employment screening protocol which can be validated. This allows for the correct match of a potential applicant to the job. It can also be useful to test worker’s fitness to return to work after a prolonged absence.

The following is an example of a protocol based on a Physical Job Demand Analysis

Overseas studies have reported a significant cost-benefit from this pre-employment process1. The referenced study looked at the effectiveness of a physical abilities test in decreasing injuries in US railroad workers. It reviewed 16,500 subjects during 1995–2000 to review whether this type of testing decreased injuries, days lost and compensation costs.

The results were significant: Injuries decreased with 50% fewer days lost (ie. 72.5 mean days lost for test group compared with 148.2 days for non-test group), 80% lower compensation costs (ie. $12,600 mean cost for test group compared with $67,900 for non-test group). Reference: 1 Geerhart, (2002) ACSM Conference, St Louis, USA.

Cost – please call

Employers are conscious of providing a safe environment for their staff. Sometimes the actual physical demands versus safe physical demands are not known and that is where we come in. Our history of work has varied from assessments at airports, ships, and factories.

Physical demands or manual handling can refer to “any activity requiring a person to interact with their environment and use any part of their muscles or skeletal system to lift, lower, push, pull, carry, throw, move, restrain or hold any animate, or inanimate, object.” (Department of Labour, USA). BodyLab’s analyses via observation, video recording, and measurements with specialist tools (eg. force gauges, 3D accelerometers).

The data we can collect is extensive. The end result can include this type of summary…

Example 1 – Factory Work

The Dictionary of Occupational Titles (1991) lists the type of work analysed as an occupation requiring “heavy” physical demands. It typically requires the ability to exert up to 23-45kg of force occasionally, 11-23kg of force frequently and 5-10kg of force constantly to move objects.

The specific physical demands of this role include:

• Frequent pulling forces of 19kg (up to a maximum of 160 times in a day)
• Frequent 25kg carry for <1sec (up to a maximum of 160 times in a day)
• Frequent standing (up to 20 mins per pallet)
• Walk up to 16km over a day
• Be physically active for 8 hours per day at an average energy expenditure of 2.7 METs (requiring a minimum cardiovascular fitness of 10 METs to minimise fatigue)
• Expend 3215.6 kilocalories over a day
• Grip strength of at least 40kg on each hand (based on the average of 4 workers tested)
• If risk to staff is picked up we will alert this with examples like this….

There is strong evidence ^1,2 in the literature that supports a higher risk of injury for the lower back when there is frequent bending with load. The compressive forces on the spine are very high in this position. A way to reduce risk here is to have the empty pallet (the one for ingredients to go on) at a higher level. A Walkie Stacker for example could control this and be adjusted as the ingredients stack higher.

Cost – please call or email

A popular service of BodyLab is our workstation assessments for staff in the workplace. Reasons for the request can include discomfort issues, a new workstation, or the assessment is requested to prevent issues from occurring.

The assessment can take 30 minutes and up to 60 minutes if it is more complex. We take before and after photographs and measurements which include forward head posture and horizontal eye position in relation to the screen. We look at the position of the lumbar support, chair height, desk height, position of keyboard, mouse and phone (elbow) position in relation to the shoulder joint.

Sit-to-Stand desks are becoming more common. We educate on standing positions along with recommendations of standing time over a working day, based on international standards1. The health and financial costs of prolonged sitting are well documented. Once employers see the evidence they are often encouraged to future-proof their business with Sit-to-Stand desks.

Adjustments are made to suit the person’s body dimensions at the time, and equipment will be recommended if needed. If anything is not quite right as a result of our adjustments, we will come back in to make further adjustments at no charge.

The assessment is also followed up with a report. A before and after photograph for example, may look something like this….

Cost – please call or email us

References

1. Buckley JP, et al (2015), Br J Sports Med, 0:1-6, doi:10.1136/bjsports-2015-094618
2. Chengalur et al (2004). Kodak’s Ergonomic Design for People at Work. John Wiley & Sons Inc, New Jersey. Second Edition.
3. McGill, Stuart (2002, 2007). Low Back Disorders. Evidence-Based Prevention and Rehabilitation. Human Kinetics.
4. Chek, Paul (1999). The Importance of Ergonomics in Rehabilitation. CHEK Certification Programme, Level 1.