Ergonomics – Encouraging and Utilizing Early Reports of Injury

Encouraging and utilizing reports Reinforces worker training on recognizing MSD symptoms. It also encourages early reporting of MSD symptoms. This allows for prompt medical evaluations for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care.

• Reinforces worker training on recognizing MSD symptoms.
• Encourages early reporting of MSD symptoms.
• Allows for prompt medical evaluations for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care.
• Reduces injury severity, the number of workers’ compensation claims and associated costs and the likelihood of permanent disability.
• Provides guidance on return-to-work and work placement restrictions during the healing process.
• Guides job modifications.
• Provides a mechanism to track and trend MSD injuries.
• Enables assessment of the effectiveness of work changes.

Healthcare professionals are important ergonomic team members. They help injured workers recover more quickly and return to their jobs with appropriate restrictions and less risk for re-injury. It is necessary that these professionals are knowledgeable about the operations and work practices within the specific industry. Their knowledge will allow them to assist the injured worker during the healing process and in post-injury work placement.