Ergonomic Assessment of a Teacher Case Study: working with the pain eased
This Ergonomic Assessment of a Teacher Case Study shows the positive outcome when Occupational Health Services are utilised.
The challenge: An employee was experiencing back and neck pain which were affecting their ability to work effectively.
The referral: The employer wanted an independent assessment of the employee’s health and work tasks in the classroom, including when working at a desk performing computer tasks. To advise on reasonable adjustments, including suitable furniture.
The assessment: An Ergonomic Assessment was carried out by an Occupational Therapist from Healthywork.
The outcome: The assessment provided practical recommendations to support the employee including recommendations regarding purchasing a specific office chair which would suit her health needs and seated measurements.
The Need:
The challenge: The employee was experiencing back and neck pain which were affecting their ability to perform their work duties. The employer needed a clearer understanding of how the employee’s health was affecting their work, and what adjustments or support might help them remain in employment.
The employer therefore referred the employee to Healthywork for an independent Ergonomic Assessment.
The referral: Although the employer was aware that the employee was experiencing health difficulties, they needed specialist advice about the impact of those difficulties on the employee’s ability to carry out their work.
Healthywork advised that an Ergonomic Assessment was required to assess the employee’s work tasks in the classroom and a workstation Ergonomic Assessment and provide practical recommendations for supporting them at work.
The assessment: An Ergonomic Assessment was carried out by an Occupational Therapist of the work area where she conducted her classroom tasks and paperwork and computer work. The assessment considered the employee’s health situation alongside the demands of their role, including the difficulties they were experiencing at work.
The assessment included:
- Review of current health and symptoms
- Review of existing treatment and support with advice regarding pacing of activities for pain management at work
- Impact of work tasks on health – standing and sitting, stooping over pupils desks in the classroom, sitting at the desk/workstation performing computer tasks/marking school work and other admin.
- Review of the whole workstation – Display Screen Equipment use. Posture advice, to avoid aggravating postures.
- Classroom seating and office type seating review, taking of seated measurements.
- Reasonable adjustments discussed, seating solutions.
- An advice sheet was provided to summarise the recommendations made and to provide the main points to consider when setting up the work area.
The outcome: The assessment report gave the employer a clearer understanding of the employee’s difficulties and provided practical recommendations for supporting them at work.
The employer was provided with specific product and supplier details (as a quotation they could activate) to help ease the symptoms.
The employee had more advice and tools to assist with their pain management and was able to continue to work and manage their medical condition more easily.
Dealing with a similar situation?
If an employee’s physical health is affecting their attendance, performance or ability to carry out their sedentary role, an Ergonomic Assessment can provide an independent professional opinion and practical recommendations.
Contact Healthywork to discuss your referral requirements.
Related Case Studies: Ergonomic Assessment of Office Tasks Case Study
Also see our blog articles related to this service:
- What is a DSE Risk Assessment?
- What is a Workstation Assessment?
- Occupational Health Assessment for back pain
- Mobile & Homeworking DSE Assessment
- Pain using an non-adjustable chair
- Pain using an office chair – 7 Top Tips
- Coronavirus & working from home DSE Risk Assessment
See our Useful Links page which includes diagnosis specific advice from organisations which can help.