Effectiveness of work injury prevention education and safety training by an occupational therapist

Limiting or eliminating work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) is a goal of many employers. Understanding risk factors associated with WRMSDs assists workers in avoiding these factors. The purposes of this study were to determine employees' awareness of risk factors of WRMSDs and their knowledge for avoiding such risks and to evaluate the effectiveness of injury prevention of WRMSD education by an occupational therapist. Sixty-one employees (both supervisors and employees) at a university animal research laboratory participated. They were given a pre-test survey before the injury prevention education. They were next provided with an hour's training and then given a post-test survey. There was statistical significance with four of the five items on the test instrument when comparing the pre-test and the post-test results. This demonstrates knowledge gained from the training. The conclusion supported injury prevention training from an occupational therapist on risk factors associated with WRMSDs and employers should consider such training.