Early Intervention and Prevention Strategies
Prevention should be the primary focus of all OH&S programs. These strategies will need to include elements of:
- job design
- work organisation
- supervision and training
- the role of the individual and
- the ergonomic design of the workstation.
Managers and Supervisors are encouraged to:
- Ensure that all job descriptions of staff incorporate a variety of tasks which allow variation in movement and posture. A mix of repetitive or static work, and non repetitive work should be included so that recovery from any muscle fatigue is made possible.
- Endeavour to ensure that no employee is required to continually type or enter data for more than 5 hours per day. Where the job involves a major component of keyboard work, or other tasks using the same muscle group, frequent rest breaks should be taken. This structuring of the task should be a matter of discussion and agreement between individuals and their supervisors.
- Allow an adjustment period to the work rates after work absences or during a learning period.
Employees are encouraged to:
- Employees should report any physical discomfort they believe is associated with their work Supervisor or Manager.