Ergonomics
Ergonomics is a central focus of military health in which the basic goal is to address issues that may occur through early intervention and education. Occupational Therapists teach several different types of military personnel how to perform tasks more efficiently as to prevent injury. Below are some examples of OT interventions:
- For someone who works at a computer, an OT might teach them how to position a mouse and keyboard to prevent reinjury.
- Teach people how to most efficiently load and unload planes at a flight line and prevent injury.
- Since deployment requires participation in atypical activities, OTs might help soldiers prevent injury by helping them to change their work process or style when setting up tents, setting up buildings, or carrying equipment.
- OTs can assess the hospital logistics area where people load and move supplies.
- OTs can assess the army dental clinics to see how they can set up the work environment to reduce symptoms and prevent chronic conditions from developing.
- OTs can work with parachute riggers, who prepare parachutes for soldiers who jump out of planes. It's a very physical and stressful job that involves a lot of packing and pounding with the hands to get the parachute just right. It also requires speed, precise timing, and accuracy. OTs can adapt a couple of their hand tools and ergonomically tailor them for the job. They have also identified alternative ways for the soldiers to jump out of planes to reduce the risk of bicep injuries.