Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
A. The American Physical Therapy Association developed guidelines for the practice of occupational
health. The diversity of the practices parallels the diversity of the needs of those with potential or
actual musculoskeletal problems related to work. Both management of the injured worker and preven-
tion of injury are covered.
1. Occupational Health Physical Therapy Guidelines: work-related injury
illness prevention and
/
ergonomics.
1
2. Occupational Health Physical Therapy Guidelines: physical therapist management of the acutely
injured worker.
2
3. Occupation Health Physical Therapy Guidelines: work conditioning and work hardening
programs.
3
4. Occupational Health Physical Therapy Guidelines: evaluating functional capacity.
4
The guidelines provide professional structure, are informational to educational programs for curricula
development and are available to other professions and referral sources for delineation of the services
and their goals.
B. The American Occupational Therapy Association published guidelines, “Occupational Therapy: Ser-
vices for Ergonomics.”
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Within the guidelines, there are statements on ergonomics definition, ergonomic
services provided by occupational therapists, goals of ergonomics, referral and payment mechanisms and
occupational therapist background in relation to ergonomics. These serve as a guide for the occupational
therapist and those who utilize the services.
C. In 1994, a representative group of sixteen professionals who performed rehabilitation ergonomics defined
their work and standards.
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This provided the specialty with information on training, standards, methods,
and goals. The group acknowledged that the specialty of rehabilitation ergonomics was held by more than
one profession. The guidelines bridged the gap of specific professional background and, instead, emphasized
the commonalities of the practitioner and the practice. It has served as a guide for definition and use.
Figure 22.1 is a summary of professional and practice goals from all three groups of references.
22.3 Laws and Regulations That Effect Rehabilitation
Ergonomics
A. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), in its ergonomic regulations, sets a
goal of prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Its earliest published ergonomic guide for
the meatpacking industry was published in 1993.
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Its current guidelines, available on the internet,
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support and enhance many of the original provisions. These guidelines call for healthcare providers to
be part of the team, early intervention to be provided and job modification to be utilized as a means
Primary Goals of Rehabilitation Ergonomics
Improve the productivity of individual workers and the work group
1.
2.
Maintain the health and improve the safety of the worker in the workplace
3.
Decrease lost work time due to illness or injury
4.
Enhance return to work processes and minimize the likelihood of
disability-induced retirement
FIGURE 22.1 A Summary of professional and practice goals.
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