Training Programs

Washington Ergonomics inc. works in partnership with our customer to obtain results, not create activities.

Our team of certified professional ergonomists has years of practical experience in solving problems. Our work experience includes a variety of industries such as aerospace, automotive, food processing, textiles, paper, wood products, light/heavy manufacturing, agriculture and the office environment.

Following is a description of the basic training courses offered. However, each client's unique requirements can be met by customizing the training content and schedule:

 

One Hour Management Overview (Class size: no limit)
This presentation increases management’s awareness and acceptance of ergonomics. It describes how a participatory ergonomics process will improve workplace safety and productivity, and details anticipated costs versus benefits.

One Day Training Program (Class size: 25 ideal - 50 max)
The one day program teaches participants to recognize problems contributing to fatigue, and/or work related musculoskeletal injuries. The “hands on” workshops and proprietary class materials help participants identify and evaluate a variety of risk factors. This evaluation generates a baseline from which goals are established and improvements measured. (Click here for Agenda)

Two Day Training Program (Class size: 18 ideal - 30 max)
The two day program is similar in basic content to the one day program. However, the longer format allows additional subject detail. The extended workshops afford participants the opportunity to be coached through the process of evaluating worksites at their own location. This training provides the participants with the knowledge and skills to use, and to help others use, the proprietary materials for evaluating lifting, upper extremity and office tasks. (Click here for Agenda)

Three to Five Day Training (Class size: 12 ideal - 18 max)
This program is designed for larger organizations with in-house trainers. The format is “train the trainer.” Participants are provided the instruction, practice and materials to deliver a participatory ergonomics process.

Follow-up Training Program (Class size: 12 ideal - 18 max)
This open structured training is designed to encourage the enthusiasm and commitment of prior class participants. Students are asked to provide at least one completed project and one current project. The professional ergonomist and other class members review each of these projects. The class functions as a team to solve any problems, conflicts or concerns. Additional training emphasis or new topics are covered on an as needed, customized basis. This gives participants the opportunity to function within a team, to solve problems and receive professional advice.

 

 

 

ERGONOMICS TRAINING AGENDA
Sample of One Day Program

8:00 - 8:15 Introduction and Class Overview

8:15 - 9:15 How Ergonomics Helps
Participants learn to recognize problems causing fatigue, and/or work related musculoskeletal disorders. The training session promotes an awareness of ergonomics and illustrates how this knowledge is applied to the worksite.

9:15 - 9:30 Break

9:30 - 10:30 How Ergonomics Helps (continued)

10:30 - 12:00 Ergonomic Tools and Methods for Evaluating Lifting Tasks
This workshop requires participants to view a task (video tape) and evaluate the worksite using six key factors contributing to back injuries. Participants receive the materials required to evaluate the workplace, compare existing tasks to NIOSH standards, and make worksite improvements.

Materials Provided: "Evaluating Your Workplace - Lifting"

12:00 - 12:45 Lunch

12:45 - 1:30 Ergonomic Tools and Methods for Evaluating Lifting Tasks (continued)

1:30 - 1:40 Break

1:40 - 2:30 Upper Extremity Cumulative Trauma Disorders Workshop
Class members will view a task that has been video taped. They are then coached through the process of worksite hazard identification, design modification, and how to document results.

Materials Provided: "Evaluating Your Workplace - Hands and Arms"

2:30 - 2:40 Break

2:40 - 3:40 Upper Extremity Cumulative Trauma Disorders Workshop (continued)

3:40 - 3:50 Break

3:50 - 4:50 Ergonomic Tools and Methods for Evaluating Office Computer Tasks
Class members are coached through the process of evaluating computer worksite hazards and recommending effective modifications.

Materials Provided: "Evaluating Your Workplace - The Office Computer"

4:50 - 5:00 Summary

 

 

 

ERGONOMICS TRAINING AGENDA

Sample of Two Day Program

Day One
8:00 - 8:15 Introduction and Class Overview

8:15 - 10:00 Thinking About the Human in the Workplace
Participants learn to recognize problems causing fatigue, and/or cumulative trauma injury. The training session promotes an awareness of ergonomics and illustrates how this knowledge is applied to the worksite.

10:00 - 10:20 Break

10:20 - 12:00 Ergonomic Tools and Methods for Evaluating Lifting Tasks
This workshop requires participants to view a task (video tape) and evaluate the worksite using six key factors contributing to back injuries. Participants receive the materials required to evaluate the workplace, compare existing tasks to NIOSH standards, and make worksite improvements.

Materials Provided to Class Participants: "Evaluating Your Workplace - Lifting "

12:00 - 1:00 Lunch

1:00 - 2:00 Ergonomic Tools and Methods for Evaluating Lifting Tasks (continued)

2:00 - 2:15 Break

2:15- 3:00 Ergonomic Tools and Methods for Evaluating Lifting Tasks (continued)

3:00 - 4:30 Body Basics
This session looks at each of the joints of the upper body as if they were mechanical structures. The intent is to understand the anatomical design of the body and to learn its strengths and weaknesses. This session covers anatomy and biomechanics.

4:30 End of day one

 

Day Two

8:00 - 9:00 Cumulative Trauma Disorders
This session looks at how proper work postures and methods can reduce cumulative trauma disorders. Safe and unsafe motions of the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand are addressed. Participants learn to recognize and correct harmful work habits.

9:00 - 9:10 Break

9:10 - 10:00 Upper Extremity Cumulative Trauma Disorders Workshop
Class members will view a task that has been video taped. They are then coached through the process of worksite hazard identification, design modification, and how to document the results.

Materials Provided to Class Participants:

"Evaluating Your Workplace - Hands and Arms "

10:00 - 10:15 Break

10:15 - 11:45 Ergonomic Tools & Methods for Evaluating Office Computer Tasks
Class members are coached through the process of evaluating computer worksite hazards and recommending effective modifications.

Materials Provided to Class Participants:

"Evaluating Your Workplace - The Office Computer"

11:45 - 12:30 Lunch

12:30 - 2:00 Facility Ergonomic Review (optional)
Class members will be divided into teams. Each team will then be assigned either a lifting, an upper extremity task or an office computer task to video tape and evaluate. (These are tasks that exist at your facility).

Materials Needed:

Video camera for each team. Teams should be limited to 5 members. Class room should have at least two monitors for teams to use.

2:00 - 2:10 Break

2:10 - 3:00 Team Workshop
Each team will be coached through the process of doing an ergonomics review of the task they video taped.

3:00 - 3:10 Break

3:10 - 4:30 Team Presentations

Each team will present their video tape and ergonomic analysis to the class members.

4:30 End of program