2. OBJECTIVES
2
1. Be able to identify and define the goal(s) ofindustrial
rehabilitation
2. Be able to identify, define and give an example of a
Functional Capacity Exam, and Work Hardening.
3. Be able to define ergonomics, and give proper ergonomic
recommendations for the hand and wrist, the back, office
set up, standing, sitting, workstation heights, lighting
4. 4. Be able to identify and explain proper lifting techniques to
protect the back
3. INDUSTRIAL REHABILITATION
Focus is on:
-Getting back to work
-Prevention of initial work injury
-Prevention of re-injury
-Increased work productivity
-Decrease worker’s compensation claims
3
4. Getting Back To Work
Immediate care
▪ May see patient in an emergency
situation if PT is on siteGoals may
include:
-Treatment and protection of the injured area
-Instruction of patient to self-care of the injured area
-May use modalities to manage pain.
4
5. EARLY INTERVENTION
-The development of many work related injuries happens over
weeks, months, or even years
-Early and aggressive intervention becomes very important
-Involves coordination between employee, department manager,
occupational health, and ergonomics team
-Prompt and early reporting of signs and symptoms such as
numbness and tingling in the hands, headaches, pain, excessive
fatigue, and difficulty focusing
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6. GETTING BACK TO WORK
INTERMIDIATE CARE
-Goal is to restore function, get person back on job
-Educate on prevention of re-injury
-Review mechanism of injury
-Discuss alternative work methods
-Ergonomics
-Function
-May involve occupational therapy
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7. GETTING BACK TO WORK
FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY
TESTING
-Describe abilities and limitations to facilitate a safe
return to work
-Determine the physical demands (max load,
frequency, heights required to lift, etc) of jobTest the
person’s ability to complete the minimum
requirements of the job and then make
recommendation
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8. PREVENTION OF THE WORK
INJURY
Ergonomics – comes from Greek word ergo (work) and names (law).
Multidisciplinary activity that incorporates people’s capabilities and limitations as they permit
the proper design of jobs, products, work places, and equipment.
Goal: adapt the job to fit the person, not to force the person to fit the job
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9. ERGONOMICS INTERACTION
WITH PERSON AND JOB
ENVIRONMENT
Deals with the following:
• Design and function of controls
and displays
• Lighting
• Temperature
• Work place layout and design
• Tools
• Work organization
1
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10. ERGONOMICS HAND AND WRIST
Often times tendons and tendon sheaths are
common sites of injuries called repetitive trauma
disorders
Example:
• carpal tunnel syndrome’
Typical culprits for hand and wrist Injury:
• Twisting and flexing
• Low temperatures
• VibrationForceful work
• Undesirable positions
1
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11. ERGONOMICS ; BACK
Back injuries from poor workplace design are the
cause of innumerable back injuries each
yearcostly, lost productivity, pain and suffering
and lost quality of life
Related to the following:
• Repetitive handling of loads, and sustained
bending
• Awkward body postures
• Handling excessively heavy and bulky
materials
• Twisting the torso to one side while lifting
• Handling demands beyond the capabilities of
person
• Strength OR metabolic energy requirements
1
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12. “
Getting Back to Work PTs may make recommendations
for return to work:
12
PTs may make recommendations for return to work::
• Based on results of functional capacity exam, work hardening and job
demands
• May need to be reassigned to new job, or modifications to current job
in order to be able to perform
For example: if a person in work hardening did not make sufficient gains
through rehab (they weren’t able to lift the 70 pounds with safe balance)
then the recommendation may be to be reassigned to another job, or that
the company use 40 lb boxes instead of 70 pound boxes.
13. Basic Design Principles
Goal:
▪ Mnimize weight, range of motion, and frequency of the activity
▪ Conveyors and platforms should be built above the knee and below the
shoulder height
▪ The farther away an object is from the person, the more physically
demanding it becomes…moment arm forces
▪ Lifting and carrying should be converted to horizontal motion with conveyors
and rollersWhen required, pushing is better than pulling
-Low friction wheels, handles easily grasped in an upright posture
PREVENTION OF WORK
INJURIES
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14. Research has identified the following variables in predicting
work injuries:
▪ The horizontal distance from the load to the person
▪ The vertical distance through which the load is handled
▪ The frequency with which the load is handled
▪ Size (bulk) of the loadFloor/shoe traction
▪ Stability (balance) of the load
▪ Adequacy of grip
▪ Distance the load is to be carried
▪ Available rest between lifts
▪ Past injuries to employee’s muscles and skeletal structure
MANUAL LIFTING
PRINCIPLES
14
15. ▪ A footrest or rail to allow the
person to put one foot up while
standing
▪ Resilient floor mats rather than
concrete
▪ Height adjustable chairs or stools
for resting
▪ Frequent opportunities to change
position
STANDING
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16. Inadequate chairs can contribute to back stress, circulation
problems, fatigue and discomfort
Solutions:
▪ Conveniently adjustable back support (vertical and
horizontal) and front edge contoured down
▪ Good seat cushioning
▪ Adjustable seat height
▪ Five legs for stability
▪ Swivel
▪ Covered with breathable material
▪ Seat pan should be large enough to support the
buttocks and thighs without digging into the back
of the knees
SITTING
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17. WORK STATION
HEIGTS
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Problem: mismatch between employees
workplace and the work they are doing
Solution:
• Adjustable-height work surfaces and
equipment
• Work should be done at elbow height
• Heavier tasks should be done a little
lower while lighter tasks should be
done a little higher than elbow height
18. LIGHTING
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Problem: Poor lighting (too much or
too little) can cause eye and neck
strain, and loss of productivity
Solution:
• Focus lighting where needed
• Reduce glare by indirect lighting
• Use window shades and antiglare
devices
• Fluorescent lighting can cause
glare and shadows
19. OFFICE
ERGONOMICS
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Problem: employees loose flexibility of
movement due to staying in the same position
for long periods of time and are exposed to
glare from the computer screen
Solution:
• Keep wrists straight
• Use wrist and arm supports when needed
• Reduce stress
• Take frequent and short stretch/exercise
breaks
• Break up long stretches on the keyboard
with alternative work involving different
work motions
20. MISCELLANOUS
INFORMATION
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• Decrease handling of product
-It adds not value to product and increases vulnerability to injury
• Provide clamps or fixtures to hold a product rather than holding it with the
hand
• Decrease activities that require the employee to raise hands/arms above
shoulder level
• Hand tools and equipment should be designed to keep hands and wrists
relatively straight
-Bend the tool, not the wrist
-Keep grips small enough to hold in the palm of the hand
• Eliminate grips with sharp edges or small surface areas
21. END
THANK YOU.
VISIT FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://slideplayer.com/slide/6773107/
PREPARED BY;
Dr. Felipe M. Obillio Jr. BSPSYCH, BSN-RN, PTRP, M.D.
