This is an assessment of the critical physical and cognitive demands of the job. The organization and structure of the job tasks, physical layout, and environmental factors are considered. The assessment may include all of the critical demands or focus on either the physical or cognitive components. Examples of the job demands that are assessed include lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, sitting, standing, walking, stairs/ladders, balancing, bending, squatting, above shoulder work, low level work, and prolonged positioning. Other variables, including frequency and duration, are considered. The Job Demands Analysis is a valuable tool in matching employees to specific jobs and in creating accurate job descriptions. The results from the Job Demands Analysis are used in the Post-offer Pre-placement Testing, to screen potential employees or returning injured employees and to be used in the Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) to determine if the employee is capable of carrying out the critical demands of that job.

There is no better way to treat injuries than to prevent them before they occur. Post-offer Pre-employment testing has been proven to prevent and reduce workplace injuries. If employers are not testing their employees, they are buying their next worker's comp claim. Employers have the ability to take control of their worker's comp costs as well as take care of their employees through functional, individualized testing.

This two hour course covers ergonomic principles and human anatomy as they relate to postures, movement and productivity in the industrial workplace. It deals with Manual Materials Handling (MMH) which includes moving or handling things by lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, holding, or restraining. Safe lifting and handling techniques are reviewed for a variety of materials and settings and participants receive hands on practice of lifting and handling using site specific materials and best practice techniques. 20 person maximum per group.

These certification courses are intended for persons who are engaged in lifting, transferring and handling patients or clients, in the course of their workday. Participants will learn to identify, assess and manage risk factors in the work place, prevent workplace injuries and ensure safe care of all patients or clients. Participants are expected to engage in the lifting and transferring practical portion of this course, using facility specific equipment and using safe techniques to further develop these skills. Course content includes Basic Anatomy, Body Mechanics and Ergonomic principles, Risk Assessment Criteria, Barriers to Safe Lift Techniques, Review of Transfer Aids and Lifts, Manual Lift/Transfer Classification, Bed Mobility Classification, and Mechanical Lift/Transfer Classification.

Both courses are based on the Job Demand Analysis (JDA) of the jobs at your workplace, which allows us to customize our training session to your environment and equipment. Prior to the course, we consult with management regarding specific patient handling policies and procedures, and review JDA’s that are related to jobs requiring patient/person handling. All participants are provided with reference and resource material representing best practices approved by the WRHA, Safe Work and Manitoba Health.  

Certification Course (4 hours) 
Please note that both the 2-hour and the 4-hour courses cover the same information and material.  The 4-hour certification course places increased emphasis on the practical application of each lift, transfer, equipment used and the completed certification checklist. The 4-hour course has allocated two additional hours of hands on practice with instructors. Each participant will complete an initialed checklist (by Instructor) demonstrating appropriate techniques for each transfer and lift to successfully complete the course.

Re-Certification Course (2 hours) 
The 2-hour Re-certification course covers the same information and material as the 4-hour course. However, this course is intended for individuals that have previously completed the 4-hour certification course. As a result, this course places an increased emphasis on theory and recently approved patient/client handling techniques.    

This one hour presentation covers the physiological effects of vibration exposure, the physics of vibration, International standards, how to measure vibration in the workplace and explores Hand/Arm Vibration Exposure as well as Whole Body Vibration Exposure. Participants are provided with guidelines for assessing and controlling the vibration levels of tools and equipment in the workplace to prevent injuries and measure outcomes of those controls.