Training Can Emphasize Physical Work Done Well.

This thought has been with me for a while … I wonder what you think?

Most ergonomics training focuses on (a) MSD risk factors and (b) signs and symptoms. My experience has been that most employees understand these concepts fairly well. Knowledge of these concepts has limits to creating change.

Most people intuitively know that lifting something heavy or often or far away is hard on their body. Most people also know redness, swelling, pain or limited range of motion is associated with a potential injury.

What if we changed the way we addressed the risk of MSDs by focusing on what your body needs? It could celebrate the benefits of physical work and reinforce the importance of healthy movements for a body to thrive? This would bring in concepts of resilience (using our physical work to stay strong and healthy) as well as psychological safety (creating an environment where employees could make a plan with colleagues and their supervisor when they are physically feeling “not myself today”).

We all need to move to be healthy - not only physically but mentally. For many, our work provides us with these opportunities. What if we changed the emphasis in our ergonomics training from

the current messaging of ...

(a) physical risk factors, (b) signs and symptoms and (c) here’s how to lift a box

to

a more inspiring and engaging message emphasizing what our body needs and the benefits of physical work done well?

A different approach is worth exploring. Focussing on physical literacy could be a useful path forward.