Hi Boss: Peer Ergonomic Assessment Process

Hi Boss,

As we discussed. We had planned a Peer Ergonomic Assessment Refresher training for our ergonomic assessors in the Edmonton Region who had taken the training a couple of years ago.

Prior to this, we carried out a survey in our region to determine how best to review the Peer ergonomic assessment process for our worksites. The reason for this was that the GoA OHS Program -Ergonomics requires designate competent employees to assess workstations, furniture and equipment during an initial set-up or to prevent ergonomic injuries at existing workstations. To establish this competency a number of employees had participated in the training some years back to serve as Peer Assessors for their worksites.

The survey questions were as follows:

Questions:
1. Who on your worksite has completed the Practical Office Ergonomics course? And have they done any Peer Ergonomic Assessments?
a. When did they complete the training? About how many Peer Ergonomic Assessments have they completed?
b. When was the last Peer Ergonomic Assessment they completed?
2. How many Peer Ergonomic Assessments do you estimate your worksite will need?
The result of the survey showed that a number of trained Peer ergonomic assessors had either not performed recent assessments or they did not feel comfortable in performing any as they were trained a while ago. The conclusion was that previously trained assessors who were still willing to assist in ergo. assessments will be re-trained.

The Peer ergonomic assessment training is provided by an external provided (EWI works) and they come over to our site to deliver the training. EWI works requires a minimum of 6 students to run a 2-day course (please see training information below). Cassie has been providing majority of the peer ergo assessment in the region as she had in the past received training with EWI works. I have also assisted Cassie during scheduled assessments but will require training to be a peer assessor at a GoA worksite.

Sharen Osinchuk was in the process of setting up a class (in which I was expected to attend) before the transition. We have few employees (previously trained) in the region who will be willing to attend a refresher training (once approved) to make up the minimum class number of 6.