WRIST problems are one of our major areas of concern
due to the type of work our employees (especially
sewers) perform on a daily base. To combat this, we
have introduced a Flex and Stretch programme which
has resulted in a major decrease in the number of
employees complaining of work related wrist
problems. All employees have to go through a range
of exercises before they start their shifts.
These range of movements serve as warming up
exercises to prevent muscle stiffness before they
start working.
Since this programme has been implemented we have
seen a dramatic decrease in the absenteeism rate due
to wrist problems.
If an employee complains of wrist pains due to the
nature of his or her work we go through the
following process of investigation and treatment:
The Occupational Health Nursing practitioner
conducts a thorough investigation regarding the
problem.
This investigation will include a proper health
history that investigates his or her lifestyle and
health history.
A worksite visit will be conducted by the
Occupational Health Practitioner, the
physiotherapist and the occupational nursing staff.
During this worksite visit we look at the
ergonomical design of the worker-site and machinery.
The employee demonstrates the nature of his or her
work.
Occupational health staff will then discuss their
findings with the Health and Safety staff member.
Their findings are forwarded to the Management
team.
Management
The employee will be assessed by the Occupational
Health practitioner who will refer the employee to
the physiotherapist for treatment.
The physiotherapist will write a detailed report
on the progress of the employee.
If the employee needs to be referred to an
Orthopaedic surgeon, the Occupational practitioner
will do the referral with a detailed history of the
employee.
We keep statistics of all visits to the clinic due
to employee’s complaining of work related wrist
problems and our referrals to the physiotherapist
and to the occupational health practitioner.
