Occupational health and ergonomics
Occupational health and ergonomics has long been a field of physiotherapy practice concerned with the environment, specifically, people’s work environment. The explicit inclusion of broader environmental concerns is an ongoing development in occupational health and ergonomics, offering an even broader perspective on the health of people and the technologies and environment surrounding them. Examination, assessment, screening, and interventions in occupational health and ergonomics include the individual, but also extend beyond it, to the work environment, work organization, and work tasks. Increasingly, changing climatic conditions are also included, as are the environmental footprint of different workplaces and industries, questions of social and environmental justice related to work, and more. This page will provide you with resources that will help you understand and practically engage in occupational health and ergonomics, with a keen awareness of small- and large-scale environmental factors and issues at the intersections of work and health.
Relevant publications
Acquah, A. A., D’Souza, C., Martin, B. J., Arko-Mensah, J., Dwomoh, D., Nti, A. A. A., Kwarteng, L., Takyi, S. A., Basu, N., Quakyi, I. A., Robins, T. G., & Fobil, J. N. (2021). Musculoskeletal Disorder Symptoms among Workers at an Informal Electronic-Waste Recycling Site in Agbogbloshie, Ghana. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), 2055. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18042055
Fatima, S. H., Rothmore, P., Giles, L. C., & Bi, P. (2023). Intra-urban risk assessment of occupational injuries and illnesses associated with current and projected climate: Evidence from three largest Australian cities. Environmental Research., 228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2023.115855
Fatima, S. H., Rothmore, P., Giles, L. C., Varghese, B. M., & Bi, P. (2021). Extreme heat and occupational injuries in different climate zones: A systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological evidence. Environment International, 148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2021.106384
Rothmore, P., Aylward, P., Oakman, J., Tappin, D., Gray, J., & Karnon, J. (2017). The stage of change approach for implementing ergonomics advice – Translating research into practice. Applied Ergonomics., 59, 225–233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2016.08.033
Patole, S., Rothmore, P., & Boucaut, R. (2015). Occupational Health and Safety. In Management and Leadership – A Guide for Clinical Professionals (1st ed. 2015., pp. 123–136). Springer International Publishing : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11526-9_9
Courses
International organisations
The International Federation of Physiotherapists working in Occupational Health and Ergonomics, a subrgroup of World Physiotherapy is a leading international organization in this field. We highly recommend that you visit their page for further information and resources.
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