OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS AND THE WORKPLACE Laura Hicks B.App.Sc. (OT)

WHAT IS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY? Occupational Therapists facilitate performance of meaningful tasks with maximum: -Function -Safety -Productivity -Well-being

-Minimise the number of workplace injuries -Minimise cost of claims -Promote safety and productivity in the workplace -Create and maintain a healthy workforce Through… -Injury Prevention -Injury Management What can Occupational Therapists do for your workplace?

INJURY PREVENTION Through: - Manual Handling Training -Worksite Assessment For example

Manual Handling Training -Group or 1:1 training -Staff induction -Annual updates -‘Train the Trainer’ packages -DVD and Power Point Packages

Worksite Assessment -Assessment of worksite environment, processes and practices -Identify risks and recommend solutions -Workplace modifications -Provision of assistive aids and equipment -Education in appropriate techniques and biomechanical principles and possibly provision of stretches

INJURY MANAGEMENT -Time efficient -Financially viable -Outcome oriented -Safe and sustainable

Achieved though assessment, and liaison with: – Injured worker and their families – Employer representatives – Treating doctors – Insurance companies – Rehabilitation Consultants – Other key stakeholders eg: Allied Health Professionals

Assessments – Workstation Assessments – Job Analyses – Graduated Return to Work Schedule – Job Dictionaries – Functional Capacity Evaluations – Worksite Assessments – Manual Handling

CONCLUSION What OT’s offer the worker: -Ensure the demands of a job are realistic and within the worker’s capabilities -Liaison with key stakeholders -Facilitate sustainable return to work -Provide education and training -Promote a safe and productive work environment -Promote and foster job satisfaction

What OT’s offer the employer: -Identify risks and recommend solutions -Facilitate rehabilitation and return to work -Provide staff training and development A safe work environment = a productive work environment

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