A TEMPLATE FOR OCCUPATIONAL WORKPLACE ANALYSIS FOR THE EXERCISE SCIENTIST1370

Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), including low back pain and repetitive strain injuries, and related human performance issues continue to occur in occupational settings. Responsibility for the development and implementation of health and safety (H&S) efforts to deal with MSD lies with occupational practitioners and professionals. These practitioners and professionals can include the ergonomist, industrial hygienist, engineer, safety professional, psychologist as well as physical and occupational therapists. Factors which must be considered in the development of H&S measures include: 1) workplace, machinery, principles, practices and the occupational culture; 2) performance and capacity of the worker; and 3) integration of programs and processes for the administration, medical management and involvement of the workplace. Exercise science professionals have an important role to play in the development of these measures. Physiologists, biomechanicists, psychologists, sociologists and sports medicine professionals are uniquely qualified and suited to integrate, understand and address the capabilities and limitations of the worker and workplace issues. Typically, the efforts to address occupational MSD can be categorized as the: a) development and implementation of an integrated H&S process; b) job analysis with identification of MSD risk factors in the workplace; c) assessment of worker capabilities (functional capacity evaluation, FCE) to meet the demands of the job; d) implementation of strategies to mitigate risk factors and enhance the capabilities of the workers; and e) implementation of programs for injured workers to return them to the job, ensure appropriate reassignment, or provide them appropriate disability compensation. As members of the business and corporate health care team, the exercise scientists can contribute to many aspects of MSD prevention and treatment. This symposium will consider three specific functions, in the areas of MSD prevention and treatment, the exercise scientist can contribute directly to: 1) measurement and description of work, 2) functional capacity testing and evaluation, and 3) return to work and placement of the worker.