I too read Andrews comments with interest and was also a little surprised
that the OH department wasn't able to come up with any solutions to the
problem.  Sounds like they need someone in to do an ergonomic assessment if
they are unable to do it themselves.  I have always found the disabilities
team (formally PACT) at the local job centre very useful.  They will come
and do an assessment for free and possibly even stump up some of the money
for equipment etc if required.  I once used them in an NHS Trust where I
worked to do an assessment for a rather tall pathologist we employed who was
experiencing back pain from bending for too long over mortuary tables, the
problem was exacerbated by her workstation chair.  They recommended that we
purchased a 'special' one to help solve the problem and paid for half of it.

Regards,

Jeremy R F Smith
RGN AIIRSM BSc Hons (OHN)
Occupational Health Advisor - Dover Harbour Board


-----Original Message-----
From: Jane Fairburn [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 18 July 2001 18:23
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Back Assessments


Andrew, there are quite a few comments in your note that seem to be of
concern. Is this a 'height-ist ' set up?? I have never heard anything as mad
as some of the things you are reporting - I am sorry if this sounds blase
but I think maybe the scene has perhaps not been set right? What does the
person do on the home visits? I do agree that he should not 'bend' to the
lowest drawer in the cabinet, he should keep his back straight and use his
knees to get down ( or did his knee problems prevent this).

What is classed as 'suffered a back problem' because simple mechanical low
back pain is not considered  a "sign of something wrong".

Perhaps a look at The Back Book (ISBN 0-11-322312-9) would be helpful.

Why a six foot 3 inch tall man should be so restricted simply because of his
height is quite beyond me. Perhaps all short people and all tall people
should be excluded from the employment market to prevent these difficulties?
Maybe he should have all of his vertebrae fused so that he can never bend,
stoop or slouch??? Its a shame because the principle of the support group
sounds good but everything else sounds a bit worrying to me. Sorry if I have
misunderstood anything and I am not NHS but work in industry so maybe I am
barking up the wrong averagely sized tree. All a bit odd to me.

The OH team member would be blameworthy if a) they were not competent to
carry out the assessment and b)they failed to carry out an adequate risk
assessment - but the management carry the overall liability. Maybe they
should seek some further expert advice? I don't believe that any OH
professional would do a risk assessment and conclude that they couldn't
offer any help. They may conclude that the person was at risk but reasonable
adjustments could not be made and then pass their report to management who
will make the decision on how best to manage.
Any help to you? Jane.
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