Introduction to Ergonomics in Animal Care

Awareness Training Proposal

Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Critical Care Unit

Critical Care Unit Critical Care Unit

Veterinary Teaching HospitalHistory of Work Related

Injuries○ Back, knees

Request for ergonomic evaluation & trainingRequested by VTH

Upper Administration

Critical Care Unit Multiple ergonomic evaluations have taken

place in the past Previous administration provided

recommendationsNo significant changes were made

Further modifications to the work environment were recommended

Training was recommended for staff at that time as well

Problem/Need Statement

Problem/Need Statement

The environment of the critical care unit needs the appropriate worksite and process changes to help counteract the injury problem

Need for awareness trainingEmployees appear are unaware of

appropriate use of work practice controls that may aide in injury prevention

Problem/Need Statement Currently, not all of the correct workplace

controls are place to mitigate the identified problems

Workplace controls must be addressed

With budget constraints, the proper worksite modifications are unlikely

Awareness training is one way to help correct the injury problem

Problem/Need Statement

Although training alone may not solve the injury problem completely, effective training can help teach employees to utilize the skills and avoid exposure to injury risk factors

Problem/Need Statement

Time involved in managing injuries is a large burdenAdequate record keeping, case

management, medical payment tracking○ Costly and time consuming

Overall cost of injuries are elevated

Problem/Need Statement

Employees in the critical care unit support the need for the appropriate worksite modification and awareness training

In drastic injury cases, an employee may be forced to change careers and find alternative work because of disability resulting from injuryInjuries impact work and personal time/hobbies

Problem/Need Statement

Because of nature of the work performed in the environment it is being performed, the existence of barriers to ideal workplace modifications are apparentAwareness training is highly warranted

Audience Analysis

Audience Analysis

Although multiple ergonomic evaluations and worksite visits have been performed CCU in the past, a more thorough audience analysis was conducted to aide the instructional design process.

Results of the analysis were used to write appropriate goals and objectives for the training course

Audience Analysis

The audience analysis questionnaire was modified several times throughout the instructional design process in order to ensure appropriate and effective information would be attained

Audience Analysis Questionnaire The designed

questionnaire consisted of 10 total questions

Questions used to determine level of ergonomics knowledge, experience on the job, previous injury, etc

See handout

Audience Analysis

Survey Monkey was used to administer the analysis questionnaire

Initially, only 3 of 14 employees responded online

Because responses were low, hard copies were taken and physically administered to CCU staff

Ultimately, 11 out of 14 total employees responded to the audience analysis questionnaire

Audience Analysis ResultsErgonomics Knowledge Background

1. Respondents have a beginner’s level of ergonomics

Animal Care Work Experience

2. All employees have at least 5 years experiencea. 45.5% of employees had 15 or more years

experience

b. 36.4% of employees had 11-15 years of experience

c. 18.2% employees had 6-10 years of experience

Audience Analysis ResultsWork Related Injuries Experienced

3. 9.1% (1 out of the 11) of employees experienced 0 injuries when dealing specifically with animal care

a) 90.9% of employees experienced responded that they have had at least 1 injury

b) 2 employees (18.2%) reported that they have experienced 1-2 injuries

c) 3 employees (27.3%) have experienced 3-4 injuries

d) 5 employees (45.5%) have experienced 5 or more injuries while caring for or handling animals

Audience Analysis ResultsPain/Discomfort Experienced While on

the Job

4. All eleven employees (100%) reported experiencing at least on instance where they experienced pain or discomfort which they felt was related to caring for or handling animals

a) 63.6% reported they have experienced pain or discomfort 5 or more times

Audience Analysis ResultsUse of Ergonomics on the Job in the Past

5. Results to question 5 were not as expecteda) 72% of employees said that they have used

ergonomics in the past while caring for animals

Further elaboration of this question would have been useful to provide additional insight

Audience Analysis ResultsSacrificing Personal Health and Safety

6. 18.2% of employees feel they only sacrifice their health and safety to care for an animal 0-10% of the day,

a) 9.1% (1 employee) felt this is done 11-25% of the day

b) 18.2% (2 employees) reported this is done 26-50% of the day

c) 54.6% (6 employees) responded this is done 51-75% or 76-100% of the day

Audience Analysis ResultsDefining Ergonomics Risk Factors

7. Question asked in essay forma) Many employees responded that they did not understand

the question

b) Common answers or themes were that the question was not understood, the question was confusing

c) It is possible that the question was poorly worded i. Employees who understood the question responded with

expected answers including, bending, lifting and manipulating animals

Further expansion of this question may have been useful. It may however be that employees do not know what ergonomics injury risk factors are

Audience Analysis ResultsBarriers to Implementing Ergonomics

8. Question asked in essay forma) Responses - time, money, emergency

situations, and unpredictable patients

b) Responses were somewhat expected and create barriers to effective training

c) Issues in the work environment may prohibit ergonomics training from being as effective

Audience Analysis ResultsPhysically Demanding Aspects of Job

9. Question asked in essay forma. Responses surround dealing with large animals

of large size, long work durations, and awkward postures with high levels of stress

b. Many of these issues, especially long work durations may not be modifiable and will create additional challenges

c. Asking employees if and how these barriers could be modified would have been beneficial to gain a greater understanding of this issue

Audience Analysis ResultsPerception of Ergonomics in Animal Care

10. Over 80% of employees responded that ergonomics is either important or very important (54.5% and 27.3% respectively)

a) Remaining 18.2% reported they were neutral on their personal opinion of ergonomics in the field of animal care

Further expansion of this question may have been useful. Asking why employees rated the response the way they did would have provided further insight

Audience Analysis Results After conducting the audience analysis, it

was determined that initial assumptions were incorrect

Without the inclusion of this valuable step in the instructional design process, the training design may have been inappropriate

Course goals and objectives were based off of results of Audience Analysis

Goals & Objectives

Goals & Objectives

The written goals & objectives were modified throughout the instructional design process as additional information was gathered

Final goals & objectives are to follow

Goals & Objectives

1. Employees are more aware of ergonomic issuesa) List basic ergonomics principles and discuss reasons

why each principle can be utilized on the job

b) List the signs and symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders and discuss why early reporting of signs and symptoms is important

c) Recall impact of injuries to work and personal time

d) When given a description or picture of an occupational injury risk factor in the workplace, the learner will be able to recognize the risk factor and suggest a method to control or eliminate exposure to the injury risk factor

Goals & Objectives

2. Effectively use ergonomic hazard control equipment & techniques in the workplace

a) When moving a large heavy animal from the floor to the exam table, describe at least one ergonomics hazard control strategy that can be used on the job to avoid injury and discuss why this strategy would be most beneficial

b) Demonstrate the use of an ergonomics engineering control, administrative control and work practice control

Goals & Objectives

3. Employees will be more innovative with regard to using ergonomics on the job

a) When presented with an ergonomic hazard when no specific ergonomic tool is present, the learner will be able to propose an innovative solution

Goals & Objectives

Design of the course was geared to meet the goals and objectives

These will help ensure learning of basic ergonomics will occur

Course Assessment

Course Assessment

The course assessment consists of 3 different partsQuestions were written to ensure the goals

and objectives of the course are met

1. Written Test

2. In Class Checklist

3. Jobsite Checklist

Course Assessment

Test Questions are written to ensure learners meet written objectives 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d(i) 2a, 3a

Course Assessment

The simple in class checklists was developed to help ensure that during instruction, learner progress is tracked and objectives 1d(ii), 2b are met

Course Content

Course Content

See syllabus handout

Includes outline of course

Sample course slides to follow Not all slides are included

Course ContentExample Slides

Types of MSD’s Carpal Tunnel Tendonitis & bursitis Tenosynovitis Epicondlyitis Trigger Finger Back strain,

herniated disc Etc

Why should I report early?

Acute injuries can easily become chronic injuries Can lead to disability, even

surgery!

Early treatment is more successful

Report signs & symptoms

Think about ergonomic solutions

40

Ergonomics Definitions

Designing the job to fit the worker, not forcing the worker to fit the job

Make physically demanding job tasks as easy on the body as possible!

41

Which Is Most Likely to Create a Back Injury?

A. B. C.

42

Engineering Controls

Eliminating the Problem

These controls help eliminate injury risk exposure

These controls are ideal!○ Sometimes difficult to

implement

43

Identify the Risk Factors

AWKWARD POSTURE

CONTACT STRESS

FORCE

Ideal Solutions

Don’t lift

45

Course Evaluation Plan

Course Evaluation Plan

Evaluation plan includes formative and summative evaluations

Course Evaluation

Information gathered will be shared with upper managementIllustrate how participants felt about the

course and whether it was beneficial

Managers of the CCU will be includedBuy-in is crucial

Formative Evaluation Included throughout the 2-hour course

Results incorporated near end of course

Evaluation to include simple questions including:Any specific questions from learnersIssues or concerns

Depending on responses, a more detailed discussion with the class may be needed

Formative Evaluation At the half way point of the class, additional

formative evaluation questions will be asked.

Questions to include:Is class helpful thus far?Is the class to basic?Is the class to advanced?How is the class going overall?

Additional discussion near the end of the course will take place to address the responses from learners

Summative Evaluation

Hard copy evaluations will be provided immediately following the course

See handout

Includes copy of summative evaluation

Course Delivery

Course will be ready to present early December 2011

Follow up observation will take place periodically after the course

Ergonomic Evaluation

Ergonomic Evaluation

Although awareness training is valuable, changes to the work environment are also necessary

Ergonomic evaluation results reveal a risk for injury. Ergonomic engineering controls are needed to reduce risk for injury

Ergonomic Evaluation Changes needed

include:Height adjustable cagesLift tables/cartsCage modificationsSlingsAnti-fatigue matsShoesCage Drawers

See Ergonomic Evaluation Report for recommendation details

Questions??

Frank Gonzales491-2724Frank.Gonzales@colostate.eduwww.ehs.colostate.edu/ergonomics