Ergonomics and training.

Abstract

The need for ergonomic intervention to improve the working environment is nowhere more urgent than for the nursing profession. The Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, have been pioneers in the development of systems for ergonomic assessment of the workplace by the workers themselves and consideration is now being given to the question of ergonomic education that will allow workers to modify and improve their own working environment. This study was planned to evaluate the effects of introducing ergonomics and biomechanics into the course of instruction for student nurses concerning working postures and patient-transfers. As a result, significant improvements in patient-handling techniques have been observed.