Hiya,
If he's had it for a while, doubt it will be a problem if well secured and main issue is risk of getting caught. If sweaty working environment and tape won't stick etc can the hospital supply some of those stretchy knicker things and cut the legs off to give him an abdominal boob tube!?? We used to do that for keeping breast dressings in place (inco knickers aka upside down vests!!) - those were all the rage.....! If the tube ends up being a problem and he needs it for a while they may be willing to change it for a lower profile one. I suggest you phone his nutritional nurse specialist - they'll happily advise you and if he has heavier physical demands he may need to up his intake anyway which may have been forgotten - last thing he needs is to lose weight. If work-wear is provided check that it still fits and/or with the PEG he made need a different design plus check any PPE can be comfortably worn.
In relation to work - be guided by him. Suggest his manager invites him in (before he returns to work) and get his manager to complete a functional risk assessment with him in relation to all his work tasks. Some he will know he will be able or won't be able to do - those he is not sure about get him to actually try the movements and see how he feels - sometimes you don't know till you try it, otherwise we can be over/under-protective. I guess it will take a while to regain his lost 'work' fitness if he has been off that long. Initially he will ache a bit and needs reassuring about that. Coming in and being seen on the shop-floor will also give him a chance to catch up with mates and demonstrate to them that he is being looked after by mgt.
Manual handling-wise it is less about weight limits more about working postures - i.e. avoid non-neutral postures where possible and if he is relatively well now whack a suggestion of something relatively small, like, 'suggest max 7.5kg (or whatever he can comfortably lift) in good working postures between knee and chest height' & 'avoid over-reaching, stretching, twisting and bending from waist movements' etc - it tends to give reassurance to managers and the individual concerned until they both gain some confidence! Beware if he needs to do two handed lifts and support/carry at waist level as higher risk of tube getting caught.
Trying the movements and completing the risk assessment will probably give you the answers you are looking for in relation to ability and potential problems.
Cath
:0)
Catherine Tye
Specialist Practitioner Occupational Health
Harmony Health & Wellbeing | mobile: 07730 985926 | email: [log in to unmask]
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-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sian Edwards
Sent: 18 October 2010 16:59
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [OCC-HEALTH] PEG feeding
Dear List,
I have a chap who is looking to return to work in a manufacturing role after several months sickness absence. He has been PEG fed for some of that time and although he is now eating some food he is likely to continue needing supplementary feeding by PEG after his return to work.
Are there any things that I should consider in this case? I am thinking that the tube will be covered so not necessarily any increased risk of infection. We would avoid shift work during his rehab programme anyway so shouldn't affect night time feed regimes etc. Is there anything else to take into account? Any contraindications to returning to a manufacturing role? Limits on manual handling etc?
All advice gratefully received.
Siân
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