Work - Volume 31, issue 1

Authors: Boynton, Teresa | Darragh, Amy Rowntree

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The following case study describes an ergonomics intervention program, designed and implemented by an occupational therapist (OT), which included principles of participatory ergonomics, had full support of management and administration, and addressed the work, worker, and environment. The ergonomics program took place in the Sterile Processing Center (SPC) of a 398 bed, mid-western hospital. The SPC was responsible for the collection, sterilization, and reassembling of hospital surgical equipment. The 30 employees of …the SPC were vulnerable to injury, having experienced 19 in only two years (of the 19 injuries, 9 were WMSD or ergonomics-related injuries). Over a two and a half year period, the OT and SPC manager conducted ergonomic evaluations, implemented employee training, designed a new SPC department, and modified work processes and equipment. In the year following the training and changes, the SPC staff experienced no injuries. Because of it's success, the program is continuing on a quarterly basis to ensure new problems are addressed quickly, new processes or equipment are evaluated, and new staff are properly trained. Show more

Keywords: Participatory ergonomics, occupational therapy, hospital workers

Citation: Work, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 95-99, 2008

Authors: Bade, Suzanne | Eckert, Jacqueline

Article Type: Research Article

Citation: Work, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 101-111, 2008

Authors: Niesz, Tricia | Koch, Lynn | Rumrill, Phillip D.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The purpose of this article is to explore the use of qualitative research in vocational rehabilitation as a means of empowering people with disabilities to (a) take greater control of their lives and (b) directly inform public policy and vocational rehabilitation service delivery. After exploring various definitions of the construct empowerment, we provide a rationale for the use of qualitative research as an empowerment mechanism based on (a) philosophies espoused by leaders of the independent living …movement, (b) disability legislation, and (c) a multi-constituency call for more consumer involvement in research. We then describe empirical properties of various qualitative methodologies that lend themselves to consumer empowerment. The article concludes with several examples of qualitative approaches to scientific inquiry from the rehabilitation literature that include many of the empowerment aspects described herein. Show more

Keywords: Empowerment, qualitative research, rehabilitation

Citation: Work, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 113-125, 2008

Article Type: Other

Citation: Work, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 127-127, 2008