MWorks Training Sessions

MWorks seminars and training sessions are lead by registered nurses and occupational therapists with years of experience in occupational health and disability management. They not only understand the medical issues related to the subject they are teaching, but also the issues faced by both the employer and the employee. For more information, or to schedule any of these training sessions, call (734) 975-3045.

Ageonomics^®: Ergonomics for the Aging Population
This workshop describes issues specific to the aging workforce and related ergonomic principles, risk factors, and solutions for the prevention of musculoskeletal injuries. The session reviews typical changes associated with the aging process and focuses on how to enhance comfort, productivity and job satisfaction to retain experienced employees.

Ergonomics in the Workplace
This session explains general ergonomic principles and how to apply them in your worksite. The program identifies risk factors including actions, postures, and equipment issues that may lead to ergonomic problems. It includes injury prevention strategies and suggestions for long-term success. Audience participation is strongly encouraged to make the solutions meaningful to your organization.

Ergonomics for Office Workers
Learn about ergonomic risk factors, injury prevention strategies and recommended workstation design for office workers. Even subtle changes can have a big impact. Learn how to enhance comfort and productivity while minimizing related costs. The program includes important self care strategies including recommended postures, gentle stretches and low cost equipment options.

Ergonomics for the Upper Extremities
This session reviews ergonomic principles and related injury prevention strategies for the upper body, arms, wrists and hands. The program reviews basic anatomy, recommended postures and healthy habits for the upper extremities, including gentle stretches and workstation set up.

Back Care: Taking Care to Prevent Injuries
Should you give employees back belts? Should all employees lift in the same way? The latest research says ‘No’ to both questions. This session focuses on recommendations to save dollars in back pain costs and lost work time. Participants will learn what to do when back pain occurs, the best types of prevention, self-care, and treatment options.

Bridge to Work
This session describes a successful and creative community-based rehabilitation program that can be instituted for individuals recovering from injuries or illnesses who are not yet ready to meet workplace production demands, but are motivated and able to begin the process of advancing towards return to work. An occupational therapist presents actual case studies to illustrate how even severely injured persons can gain physical, cognitive and interpersonal skills and capacities to evaluate and advance their employability.

Facilitating a Successful Return to Work
Occupational Therapists describe the ‘how-to’s’ related to the successful rehabilitation return to work process for persons with any diagnosis. The session can also be customized to target specific medical conditions (including physical, cognitive or mental health challenges) depending upon a client’s needs. Issues related to evaluation, treatment, creative problem solving strategies, and the Americans with Disabilities Act are covered as well as successful services provided in a clinic, in the community, or at the worksite.

Separating Performance Problems from Medical Issues
Supervisors may feel taken-by-surprise and unsure of how to react when they learn that an employee’s limitations in production quality and/or quantity may be related to a medical or disability issue. This session discusses effective proactive and reactive strategies to facilitate a win-win outcome in these situations. Issues related to the Americans with Disabilities Act are also covered. Case studies illustrate actual work situations, plus interactive questions and answers are encouraged.

Facilitating Return to Work after a Mental Health Leave: A Supervisor’s Guide
Return to work for an employee who has been on disability leave due to a mental health issue can be confusing and difficult. In order for the return to work to be successful, several factors must be addressed. This seminar provides the supervisor with a road map to dealing with the most common and crucial issues and helps prepare the supervisor to assist the employee in a successful return to work.

Implementing a Drug-free Workplace Policy: Supervisor Training
The Department of Labor notes that on-the-job substance abuse costs employers one hundred billion dollars annually including lost productivity, theft, accidents, and additional health costs. This seminar focuses on understanding the different components of a drug-free workplace policy and how to implement it. The seminar also addresses recognizing workplace problems that may be related to substance abuse, intervention in problem situations, and avoiding enabling behaviors.

Strategies for Prevention of Stress and Stress Claims in the Workplace
Work-related stress is costing business billions. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that 40% of workers reported their job was very or extremely stressful. Harvard Business Review reports show that 60-90% of doctor visits are stress related (A. Perkins, 1994, 72(6):12). American Psychologist reported that the total health and productivity cost of worker stress to American business is estimated at $50-150 billion annually (Sauter, S.L; Murphy, L.R.; and Hurrell, Jr., J.J. (1990). This seminar is aimed at educating employers in understanding occupational stress and the implementation of strategies that can help decrease stress and stress claims in the workplace.

Avoiding Blood Borne Pathogen Exposures
Employees and supervisors who may be exposed to blood borne pathogens on the job need to understand what infections can occur with the transmission of blood or other body fluids and how to avoid exposure. This session provides the identification of which body fluids fall under the scope of blood borne pathogens, awareness of the health conditions involved, importance of personal protective equipment, and much more. This session can serve as an annual training update to your Blood Borne Pathogens Plan.

Complying with the Family Medical Leave Act
FMLA has become more and more challenging for employers. Trying to understand the medical forms, knowing which medical conditions should or should not be approved, and managing intermittent leave is not easy. This seminar is designed for employers interested in developing skills in analysis; best practices; and fair, cost-effective resolution of FMLA requests.

For more information, or to schedule any of these training sessions, call (734) 975-3045.