Ergonomics and the VOC OT & Occupational Health and safety and the OT

The emerging role of the occupational therapist in ergonomics

The publication of the Draft Ergonomics Regulations by the Department of Labour in January 2018 opened a wide, multidisciplinary discussion on ergonomics in the workplace and the relevant competencies and professionals involved.

While our undergraduate training as occupational therapists equips us to deal holistically with the interaction between person, environment and occupation, we need to be able to apply this knowledge within the accepted parameters of ergonomic practice. This one-day course covers the principles and application of ergonomics from our unique occupational therapy perspective.

Defining ergonomics and it’s practice with special reference to the workplace

The course covers specifics related to:

• The benefits of ergonomics
• Risk factors inherent in the worker
• Risk factors inherent in the job/ task
• Risk factors inherent in the workplace
• Risk factors inherent in the organisation
• How to conduct an ergonomic risk assessment
• Controlling and managing ergonomic risks

Occupational health and safety (OHS) is regulated by various laws in every workplace in South Africa. Failure to comply with these laws can open an employer to criminal prosecution. Occupational therapists working in vocational rehabilitation or occupational health require a sound appreciation of occupational health and safety legislation and practices in order to operate effectively within the workplace and make appropriate, realistic and safe recommendations for their clients. This one-day workshop will empower you with the underlying principles of OHS, hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control as they apply to the occupational therapist.ation and their application to occupational therapy practice.