return-to-work

worker being instructed how to remove heavy pan from oven
10 Oct, 23

When does “reinstructing the worker” help?

Some of our clients pass their strain/sprain injury reports to our ergonomists for review, investigation, or other support.  I have to say, every time I see the corrective action listed as “Reinstruct the worker,” I wince quietly. I imagine the supervisor sitting with the worker, who is in pain, and saying, “Next time, make sure […]
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10 Jul, 23

What is an ergonomist, and what do they do?

(Prefer to “watch” instead of read? Here’s the video: https://youtu.be/43lk-BSmGmI) At the most basic level, an ergonomist (much like a lifeguard) gets paid to watch people. In our case, we watch people work. Of course, most ergonomists would be insulted at the insinuation that “watch” is all we do, but that’s what people see us […]
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cost-justifying physical and cognitive demands analyses
03 Apr, 23

How can PCDAs save you money?

(Would you rather watch than read? Video version here: https://youtu.be/1euljH9RrRw ) Physical and cognitive demands analyses (PCDAs), in contrast to ergo assessments, provide only a summary of job requirements. They don’t include an analysis of injury risk or recommendations to reduce those risks. So technically, they don’t directly result in improvements to a job. How could […]
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29 Aug, 22

How can we make a job less repetitive?

Work is “repetitive” in many work environments. People package and palletize, load presses, use paint guns, and more . After an injury occurs, an employee’s health care provider may limit the employee from “repetitive” work. In a workplace where thousands of items are produced per shift, how can you find work that is not “repetitive”? What […]
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15 Aug, 22

What are “cognitive demands” and why do we include them in our reports?

A PCDA is a physical and cognitive demands analysis. It’s a very detailed description of all of the work that an employee does regularly, including pushing/pulling/lifting/gripping/pinching forces, photos, hand height, and reaches. A PCDA allows a supervisor or return-to-work coordinator to compare an employee’s functional abilities with the demands of any job. It also allows […]
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