Rehabilitation Ergonomics - Fundamentals and Assessment Tools for Occupational Ergonomics - page 477

to allow workers to stay at work as they improve. Other aspects of work such as education, work redesign
and selection of appropriate tools are part of the scope of the rehabilitation ergonomist, although also
practiced by other professionals.

B. The National Institute for Occupational Safety Health (NIOSH) discusses the roles of the healthcare
provider in returning injured workers to work. In Elements of Ergonomics Programs, 9 it lists employer
responsibilities that lead to involvement of rehabilitation ergonomists:

1. Provide in-house training
2. Promote early reporting and prompt evaluation by healthcare provider
3. Have healthcare provider become familiar with jobs and job tasks
4. Modify jobs or accommodate as determined by healthcare provider
C. Antidiscrimination laws such as the U.S. Americans Disabilities Act, 10 as well as Canadian and Euro-
pean human rights legislation, mandate accommodations for disabled persons. These allow qualified dis-
abled persons to perform the essential functions of the job. When the disability affects physical function,
ergonomic enhancements of work, work tools or work methods facilitate functional performance of the
specific work.

D. Workers' compensation laws provide wage replacement while a worker is off work with an injury. To
facilitate return to work, specific work-related evaluation and rehabilitation are authorized. Onsite visits
to ensure that the worker can perform the job safely and provide job modifications, are part of the reha-
bilitation plan that leads to return to work. At the treatment and ergonomic modification level, rehabi-
litation ergonomists are utilized.

Following the logic of the regulations, guidelines and laws, rehabilitation ergonomists enhance the
match of work and worker. This is used for primary prevention, modification of work, early return to
work, prevention of disability and avoidance of discrimination in the workplace.
Figure 22.2 summarizes the structure of rehabilitation ergonomics in the return to work process. It
describes the attributes of the professional specialty derived from guidelines, regulations, professional
definitions, and actual practice.

22.4 Rehabilitation Ergonomics Components

Rehabilitation professionals have always treated workers with musculoskeletal injuries in their practice.
In the 1980s, workers' compensation systems began to strongly emphasize reduction in work disability.

Job Requirement Functional Ability Match Recommendation

1. Floor lift 50 20 No XXX

2. Mid Level lift 50 60 Yes

3. Shoulder lift 20 30 Yes

4. Carry 50 20 No XXX

5. Push / pull 60 30 No XXX

6. Hand grip 60 50 No XXX

8. Stair / ladder 10 ft Not limited Ye s

9. Sit 1 h 4 h Ye s

10. Stand 8 h 4 h No XXX

11. Hand

coordination

6 h Not limited Yes

Comment:

FIGURE 22.2 Example job and capacity match.