1. Introduction to Ergonomics in Animal Care Awareness Training Proposal
Veterinary Teaching Hospital
Critical Care Unit
Introduction to Ergonomics in Animal Care Awareness Training Proposal

2. Critical Care Unit Critical Care Unit Veterinary Teaching Hospital
History of Work Related Injuries
Back, knees
Request for ergonomic evaluation & training
Requested by VTH Upper Administration

3. Critical Care Unit
Multiple ergonomic evaluations have taken place in the past
Previous administration provided recommendations
No significant changes were made
Further modifications to the work environment were recommended
Training was recommended for staff at that time as well

4. Problem/Need Statement

5. Problem/Need Statement
The environment of the critical care unit needs the appropriate worksite and process changes to help counteract the injury problem
Need for awareness training
Employees appear are unaware of appropriate use of work practice controls that may aide in injury prevention

6. Problem/Need Statement
Currently, not all of the correct workplace controls are place to mitigate the identified problems
Workplace controls must be addressed
With budget constraints, the proper worksite modifications are unlikely
Awareness training is one way to help correct the injury problem

7. Problem/Need Statement
Although training alone may not solve the injury problem completely, effective training can help teach employees to utilize the skills and avoid exposure to injury risk factors

8. Problem/Need Statement
Time involved in managing injuries is a large burden
Adequate record keeping, case management, medical payment tracking
Costly and time consuming
Overall cost of injuries are elevated

9. Problem/Need Statement
Employees in the critical care unit support the need for the appropriate worksite modification and awareness training
In drastic injury cases, an employee may be forced to change careers and find alternative work because of disability resulting from injury
Injuries impact work and personal time/hobbies

10. Problem/Need Statement
Because of nature of the work performed in the environment it is being performed, the existence of barriers to ideal workplace modifications are apparent
Awareness training is highly warranted

11. Audience Analysis

12. Audience Analysis
Although multiple ergonomic evaluations and worksite visits have been performed CCU in the past, a more thorough audience analysis was conducted to aide the instructional design process.
Results of the analysis were used to write appropriate goals and objectives for the training course

13. Audience Analysis
The audience analysis questionnaire was modified several times throughout the instructional design process in order to ensure appropriate and effective information would be attained

14. Audience Analysis Questionnaire
The designed questionnaire consisted of 10 total questions
Questions used to determine level of ergonomics knowledge, experience on the job, previous injury, etc
See handout

15. Audience Analysis
Survey Monkey was used to administer the analysis questionnaire
Initially, only 3 of 14 employees responded online
Because responses were low, hard copies were taken and physically administered to CCU staff
Ultimately, 11 out of 14 total employees responded to the audience analysis questionnaire

16. Audience Analysis Results
Ergonomics Knowledge Background
Respondents have a beginner’s level of ergonomics
Animal Care Work Experience
All employees have at least 5 years experience
45.5% of employees had 15 or more years experience
36.4% of employees had years of experience
18.2% employees had 6-10 years of experience

17. Audience Analysis Results
Work Related Injuries Experienced
9.1% (1 out of the 11) of employees experienced 0 injuries when dealing specifically with animal care
90.9% of employees experienced responded that they have had at least 1 injury
2 employees (18.2%) reported that they have experienced 1-2 injuries
3 employees (27.3%) have experienced 3-4 injuries
5 employees (45.5%) have experienced 5 or more injuries while caring for or handling animals

18. Audience Analysis Results
Pain/Discomfort Experienced While on the Job
All eleven employees (100%) reported experiencing at least on instance where they experienced pain or discomfort which they felt was related to caring for or handling animals
63.6% reported they have experienced pain or discomfort 5 or more times

19. Audience Analysis Results
Use of Ergonomics on the Job in the Past
Results to question 5 were not as expected
72% of employees said that they have used ergonomics in the past while caring for animals
Further elaboration of this question would have been useful to provide additional insight

20. Audience Analysis Results
Sacrificing Personal Health and Safety
18.2% of employees feel they only sacrifice their health and safety to care for an animal 0-10% of the day,
9.1% (1 employee) felt this is done 11-25% of the day
18.2% (2 employees) reported this is done 26-50% of the day
54.6% (6 employees) responded this is done 51-75% or % of the day

21. Audience Analysis Results
Defining Ergonomics Risk Factors
Question asked in essay form
Many employees responded that they did not understand the question
Common answers or themes were that the question was not understood, the question was confusing
It is possible that the question was poorly worded
Employees who understood the question responded with expected answers including, bending, lifting and manipulating animals
Further expansion of this question may have been useful. It may however be that employees do not know what ergonomics injury risk factors are

22. Audience Analysis Results
Barriers to Implementing Ergonomics
Question asked in essay form
Responses - time, money, emergency situations, and unpredictable patients
Responses were somewhat expected and create barriers to effective training
Issues in the work environment may prohibit ergonomics training from being as effective

23. Audience Analysis Results
Physically Demanding Aspects of Job
Question asked in essay form
Responses surround dealing with large animals of large size, long work durations, and awkward postures with high levels of stress
Many of these issues, especially long work durations may not be modifiable and will create additional challenges
Asking employees if and how these barriers could be modified would have been beneficial to gain a greater understanding of this issue

24. Audience Analysis Results
Perception of Ergonomics in Animal Care
Over 80% of employees responded that ergonomics is either important or very important (54.5% and 27.3% respectively)
Remaining 18.2% reported they were neutral on their personal opinion of ergonomics in the field of animal care
Further expansion of this question may have been useful. Asking why employees rated the response the way they did would have provided further insight

25. Audience Analysis Results
After conducting the audience analysis, it was determined that initial assumptions were incorrect
Without the inclusion of this valuable step in the instructional design process, the training design may have been inappropriate
Course goals and objectives were based off of results of Audience Analysis

26. Goals & Objectives

27. Goals & Objectives
The written goals & objectives were modified throughout the instructional design process as additional information was gathered
Final goals & objectives are to follow

28. Goals & Objectives Employees are more aware of ergonomic issues
List basic ergonomics principles and discuss reasons why each principle can be utilized on the job
List the signs and symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders and discuss why early reporting of signs and symptoms is important
Recall impact of injuries to work and personal time
When given a description or picture of an occupational injury risk factor in the workplace, the learner will be able to recognize the risk factor and suggest a method to control or eliminate exposure to the injury risk factor

29. Goals & Objectives
Effectively use ergonomic hazard control equipment & techniques in the workplace
When moving a large heavy animal from the floor to the exam table, describe at least one ergonomics hazard control strategy that can be used on the job to avoid injury and discuss why this strategy would be most beneficial
Demonstrate the use of an ergonomics engineering control, administrative control and work practice control

30. Goals & Objectives
Employees will be more innovative with regard to using ergonomics on the job
When presented with an ergonomic hazard when no specific ergonomic tool is present, the learner will be able to propose an innovative solution

31. Goals & Objectives
Design of the course was geared to meet the goals and objectives
These will help ensure learning of basic ergonomics will occur

32. Course Assessment

33. Course Assessment The course assessment consists of 3 different parts
Questions were written to ensure the goals and objectives of the course are met
Written Test
In Class Checklist
Jobsite Checklist

34. Course Assessment
Test Questions are written to ensure learners meet written objectives 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d(i) 2a, 3a

35. Course Assessment
The simple in class checklists was developed to help ensure that during instruction, learner progress is tracked and objectives 1d(ii), 2b are met

36. Course Content

37. Course Content See syllabus handout Includes outline of course
Sample course slides to follow
Not all slides are included

38. Example Slides
Course Content

39. Types of MSD’s Carpal Tunnel Tendonitis & bursitis Tenosynovitis
Epicondlyitis
Trigger Finger
Back strain, herniated disc
Etc
List common types of MSDs

40. Why should I report early?
Acute injuries can easily become chronic injuries
Can lead to disability, even surgery!
Early treatment is more successful
Report signs & symptoms
Think about ergonomic solutions

41. Ergonomics Definitions
Designing the job to fit the worker, not forcing the worker to fit the job
Make physically demanding job tasks as easy on the body as possible!

42. Which Is Most Likely to Create a Back Injury?
Avg is $5105 over last 6 years

43. Engineering Controls Eliminating the Problem
These controls help eliminate injury risk exposure
These controls are ideal!
Sometimes difficult to implement

44. Identify the Risk Factors
AWKWARD POSTURE
FORCE
CONTACT STRESS

45. Ideal Solutions
Don’t lift

46. Course Evaluation Plan

47. Course Evaluation Plan
Evaluation plan includes formative and summative evaluations

48. Course Evaluation
Information gathered will be shared with upper management
Illustrate how participants felt about the course and whether it was beneficial
Managers of the CCU will be included
Buy-in is crucial

49. Formative Evaluation Included throughout the 2-hour course
Results incorporated near end of course
Evaluation to include simple questions including:
Any specific questions from learners
Issues or concerns
Depending on responses, a more detailed discussion with the class may be needed

50. Formative Evaluation
At the half way point of the class, additional formative evaluation questions will be asked.
Questions to include:
Is class helpful thus far?
Is the class to basic?
Is the class to advanced?
How is the class going overall?
Additional discussion near the end of the course will take place to address the responses from learners

51. Summative Evaluation See handout Includes copy of summative evaluation
Hard copy evaluations will be provided immediately following the course
See handout
Includes copy of summative evaluation

52. Course Delivery Course will be ready to present early December 2011
Follow up observation will take place periodically after the course

53. Ergonomic Evaluation

54. Ergonomic Evaluation
Although awareness training is valuable, changes to the work environment are also necessary
Ergonomic evaluation results reveal a risk for injury. Ergonomic engineering controls are needed to reduce risk for injury

55. Ergonomic Evaluation Changes needed include: Height adjustable cages
Lift tables/carts
Cage modifications
Slings
Anti-fatigue mats
Shoes
Cage Drawers
See Ergonomic Evaluation Report for recommendation details

56. Questions?? Frank Gonzales 491-2724 Frank.Gonzales@colostate.edu