Groomers and Musculoskeletal Disorders
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) is defined by OSHA as “injuries and illnesses of the
muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage and spinal discs.” It is the number
one job related injury in the U.S. OSHA estimates that for $3 spent on Workmens
Compensation, $1 is directly related to MSDs.
Let’s get some boring facts out of the way. The Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2008 is as
384,480 cases of MSD with an average of 10 lost work days per incident.
- 532,590 cases of sprain, strains and tears with an average of 9 lost work days per incident.
11,950 cases of carpal tunnel with an average of 27 lost work days per incident.
147,190 cases of soreness with an average of 8 lost work days per incident.
154,500 cases of overexertion with an average of 10 lost work days per incident.
36,540 cases of repititive motion with an average of 17 lost work days per incident.
MSDs result in reduced productivity, poor product quality, lost revenue and lowered morale.
In the grooming world, what causes MSDs?
Lifting heavy dogs can result in back injuries. Make use of ramps and electric tables. When lifting, keep the dog close to your body and lift with your legs. If you need to turn, use your feet, not your torso.
Squirmy, uncontrollable dogs and cats can cause back and shoulder injuries, sprains and strains. Take a pet behavior seminar and use restraints and muzzles. * Special Note - Do not noose a cat. If it jumps off the table, the neck will snap. * As you work, move the pet as little as possible.
Repititive motions such as brushing, combing, carding, stripping, clipping, scissoring, dematting and drying can lead to carpal tunnel, rotator cuff injuries and tendonitis. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your wrists straight.
Overexertion caused by working long hours with no breaks and equipment not in peak condition. You work harder when blades and scissors are dull. You take longer to dry a pet if the filters are dirty. Take regular breaks in your workday and schedule the hard to handle or strenous dogs on differing days.
Standing on hard floors causes overtiredness, leg, knee, foot and back injuries. Invest in quality fatigue mats, stools and use foot rests. Change it up while you are working. Alternate between the three. Sitting on a stool all day long can be as damaging in the long run. Wear quality foot wear with thick insulating soles and with shock absorbing insoles. Keep your toenails the right length. Where have we heard that before?
Awkward postures from working in a cramped environment or from bending, twisting, leaning and kneeling. This can result in back and knee problems. Work at the right height. Adjust your table as often as needed, so that you are not bending and twisting while grooming. Use tub grates to raise the height of smaller pets so you are not bending over them while bathing. Make sure the tub has toe spaces for you to stand comfortably while washing the pets.
Excessive force because wheeled equipment has hair lodged in the wheels.Difficulty pulling or pushing results in shoulder and wrist injuries.
Vibrating handtools such as nail grinders, clippers and grinders can cause Vibration Syndrome. It affects the circulation and neurons in fingers. They blanche white, are cold, numb and painful. If left untreated, the damage can become permanent.
Contact injuries from leaning against hard objects such as tables can result in back injuries.
What could you do to prevent MSDs?
Training, training, training. Participate in safety training seminars for yourself and your employees. Make it a part of your regular continuing education. OSHA has a training institiute. For more information visit www.osha.gov/dte/oti/index.html.
Treat symptoms and injuries while they are minor.
Keep ergonomics in mind when designing or remodeling your shop. Ergonomics is the merging of workplace conditions and job demands with the capabilities of the groomer.
Massage therapy maintains the overall health of soft tissue and body. It’s recommended that groomers have a one hour session every two to four weeks.
Chiropractic care eliminates pressure on the nerves caused by imbalances in the vertebral and skeletal system. Groomers should see a Chiropractor at least once a month as a preventative.
* Get recommendations from trusted sources. Incompetent Massage Therapists and Chiropractors can do more harm than good. *
Yoga allows for free flowing movement in your body and helps to teach you how to effectively move throughout your day.
Stretching helps loosen up soft tissue and is easy to do anytime, anyplace when you feel a little stiff.
Vacationing doesn’t mean traveling to some exotic port of call. It means taking the time to separate your mind and body from your work. It gives both a chance to heal.
Implementing a healthy, safe and ergonomic work environment will decrease strain,injuries and burnout, resulting in increased groomer health, morale, productivity and efficiency.
Posted on June 20, 2010 at 05:06 PM in Groomer Safety | Permalink | Comments (3)
Pet Tech PetSaver and 3 day Instructor training in Rockport, Maine.
We're going to Rockport! Daryl Connor was so kind as to offer up Rockport for us. We will be there on Sunday, July 11th for the eight hour PetSaver Program. This is a comprehensive hands-on program that was designed for the pet professional as well as the pet owner. Everyone will have their own stuffed dog to work on.The topics include healthy living, priorities and concerns of emergencies, rescue breathing, CPR, choking, bleeding, shock and fractures, poisoning, heat and cold injuries, snout to tail assessments, first aid and emergency preparedness kits and dental care.
The cost is $150pp and includes two handbooks.
The 3 day Instructor begins with the eight hour PetSaver Program followed by an extra hour after class. Day Two is marketing, teaching techniques and a round robin. Day Three is class presentations.
The cost is $1495 and includes 10 handbooks.
For more information or to register contact me at 203-746-9569.
Posted on June 14, 2010 at 03:07 PM in Upcoming Events | Permalink | Comments (0)
Testimonial for the Pet Tech PetSaver Program from a Pet Professional
Posted on June 13, 2010 at 12:52 PM in FAQ | Permalink | Comments (0)
Testimonial for the Pet Tech PetSaver Program from a Pet Owner
BY MARY OQUENDO CMPTI, CCS
0.2% chlorohexidine rinse. Used to rinse out wounds. The 0.2% is important. Less than that is not effective and more can cause cellular damage. I no longer use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to flush wounds. Alcohol stings and hydrogen peroxide damages cellular tissue. In addition, both will slow healing. Nolvasan is a brand name.
Plastic cards are the right size for paw injuries. Cushion them with extra gauze to protect the pad.
Posted on June 05, 2010 at 05:52 PM in First Aid Kits | Permalink | Comments (5)
What to look for in a pet CPR and first aid class.