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His resumption of full duty is accompanied by removal of restrictions on home activity. The following
ergonomic home and work guidelines remain:
1. He is to continue to use the pneumatic impact wrench at work to reduce work stressors perma-
nently. He will make similar accommodations at home. He now realizes tool use and heavy repeti-
tive gripping must be monitored in his recreation and home activities. New sensibilities are
present in his home carpentry, sports and chores. They particularly revolve around ergonomic
positions, proper tools, reduction of stressors and implementation of stretching as appropriate.
2. If he has symptoms again, he is to report these at work as soon as possible. The health department
at work has determined that causation (work-related or not work-related) will not stop the
process of working with him to avoid a reinjury. The rehabilitation ergonomist also can be
brought in any time that there is an issue.
3. He participates in safety meetings to work on early intervention and ergonomic guidelines for all
employees.
Note: This case was resolved with no lost time and 4 weeks of modified duty. This result was superior to
former cases of workers with similar problems. In addition to the good metrics (decreased lost time and
medical costs) both the worker and supervisor rated their satisfaction as high.
22.7 The Aging Worker: Special Considerations
The aging process affects the neuromusculoskeletal system and is translated into functional changes. The
loss of functional work ability is noted in middle-aged and older workers. For those with chronic injuries
and illnesses, aging changes add to the decrement in functional abilities.
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For employers and workers, the age-related decrease in functional ability can translate into decreased
productivity, increased injuries and increased disability. Perceived disability for older workers is also
heightened, so that when an older worker is hurt, there may be the perception that they will not be
able to return to the workforce without reinjury.
To study the effect of education, training and ergonomics on workers, five studies were performed and
reported by Finnish researchers.
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A physiotherapist participated in the training for material handling
and in planning of workplace health promotion. Results of the five studies demonstrated that both
the health and work ability of aging workers can be promoted with ergonomic measures at the workplace.
Team spirit, a result of the participative approach, was also enhanced. Education and training had a posi-
tive effect, especially on aging workers.
These studies show that there will be a functional decline in workers, but that ergonomics, education,
training and participation can be used to increase work ability. They point to an opportunity to decrease
the rate of injury and disability in the aging population. Exercise is a deterrent to changes in musculos-
keletal ability, and when added to the suggested regime, could slow the process of declining function.
There is a need for ongoing research to specifically address the multiple interventions that can be suc-
cessfully utilized in reducing work injuries, lowered productivity and diminished perceptions of work
ability in the aging worker.
Regarding use of exercise, the rehabilitation ergonomist must balance the presence of slow-onset
repetitive injuries in physical work (known in industry as “wear out”), and the exercises used to maintain
fitness. Program design must take into consideration the potential interaction of concurrent overuse syn-
drome while promoting restorative fitness regimes.
With the recognition that increasing numbers of workers are reaching middle and older age, and that
older workers are valuable due to experience and loyalty, employers are seeking methods to maintain
health and productivity of older employees. Rehabilitation ergonomics for both return to work and
for prevention of injury can make a significant contribution.
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