Workshop: Outside the Office - Addressing Ergonomic Issues in the Field

Many municipal workers work outside of a traditional office environment including individuals employed in departments such as Parks, Roads/Transportation and Recreation.  Addressing ergonomic issues in these complex and ever-changing environments is key in order to ensure reduced musculoskeletal risk, reduction in claims, and overall improved safety for all staff.  
 
This workshop is designed to help health and safety professionals in the municipal environment begin to identify and consider methods for managing some of the ergonomic issues associated with their non-office tasks.  In particular, this session will focus on driving ergonomics including proper vehicle set-up, adjustments for heavy equipment, and safe entry/exit from the vehicle.  Furthermore, discussion around how to use this information to help build purchasing standards that aid with PROACTIVE ergonomics will be discussed.
 
To help attendees take action back at their workplace, they will be asked to participate in an action-planning activity to determine where some immediate opportunities to reduce risk at their workplace may be and what long-term goals they may choose to work towards in a continued effort to manage ergonomic issues outside the office.

Takeaways include:

• Driving ergonomics handout
• Personalized action plan for addressing ergonomic hazards outside the office

Note: This workshop is considered a Pre-Conference Workshop for the OMHSRA Professional Development Conference on June 2, 2017.  It is not required that you be an OMHSRA member to attend this workshop, though content will be specifically geared towards jobs in the municipal environment.