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Pet Grooming & Ergonomics Information

About Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) Repetitive Motion Disorders RMDs 

What You Need To Know

Ergonomics training known as, GROOMONICSsm  of GROOMOLOGY® at Yuppie Puppy Studios is about informing, educating and training our employee Apprentices and Trainees in Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) and Repetitive Motion Disorders (RMDs) related to pet grooming. The purpose of our employee required Pet Grooming Ergonomics – training  is to reduce and prevent work related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) & Repetitive Motion injuries and disorders (RMDs). Pet grooming related Musculoskeletal and Repetitive Motion Disorders can develop because pet grooming involves many physical activities such as: reaching, lifting, bending, stooping, awkward body positioning, using continuous force, working with vibrating tools and doing repetitive motions. Our instructional training includes but is not limited to the following areas:  lifting, carrying, body posturing vs. pet positioning, employee safe handling and humane management control of a animal (dog) and our willingness to modify grooming procedures provides a safer work environment for employees and the family dog.

Basic Animal (Dog) GROOMONIC^sm – Pet Grooming Ergonomic Information

One might think because Dogs cannot talk, they cannot tell us when their body positioning or posture becomes uncomfortable. Nothing can be farther from the truth. Many times, the so-called difficult dog or dog that becomes very uncooperative is talking very clearly.

Improperly positioning and posturing the dog for any of the many, grooming procedures can produce discomfort and pain in a dog. A dog’s age, general health condition can affect the flexibility of joints and must be considered to prevent pain, discomfort and possible further injury to the dogs joints muscles and tendons.

Many of the same symptoms and signs humans suffer may be present; we just need to learn to listen to the dog.  Listening to the dog’s many way’s of talking to us starts with observing the dogs physical communication and behavior. Joint tenderness examined and Muscle weakness or tenseness felt and by that hand that should always be in supportive contact with the dog is another method of reading the dogs physical communication. Causing pain or prolonged discomfort due over working an animal – even during the grooming process, just to get that grooming done on time, can be a violation of a many State rules, regulations and laws produced to protect over working an animal. Exhausting - by over working any dog during a groom, just to get cooperation and control is inhumane, abusive and can cause further injury to an existing but unknown Health or MSD condition the dog may be suffering from.

Additionally, any grooming procedure that calls for sitting, standing or bending for long periods in a stationary static body position, you may be likely to suffer from body fatigue that could result in injury. Particularly if you sit for long periods during any grooming procedure. Grooming from a sitting position requires moving the dogs body more often vs. the standing advantage of moving yourself around the dog and grooming table. Lumbar support while sitting and grooming seldom offers lumbar back support.  Prolonged sitting adds stresses to the lumbar region and can cause the lumbar region to bow outward; this abnormal curvature (called kyphosis) can lead to painful lower back problems that are a leading complaint among workers that sit for long periods. The best way for pet grooming practitioners to avoid and prevent back problems caused by sitting is to stand and work around the dog on the grooming table. Those that do stand for prolonged periods frequently change positions as they work around the dog on a grooming table.  Adjusting work surface heights’ using a hydraulic grooming table reduces back and awkward grooming procedure positions and posture fatigue.

Workplace MSDs or RMDs are caused by exposure to the following risk factors: Repetition. Doing the same motions over and over again places stress on the muscles and tendons. The severity of risk depends on how often the action is repeated, the speed of the movement, the number of muscles involved and the required force. Forceful Exertions. Force is the amount of physical effort required to perform a task (such as heavy lifting) or to maintain control of equipment or tools. The amount of force depends on the type of grip, the weight of the object, body posture, the type of activity and the duration of the task. Awkward Postures. Posture is the position your body is in and affects muscle groups that are involved in physical activity. Awkward postures include repeated or prolonged reaching, twisting, bending, kneeling, squatting, working overhead with your hands or arms, or holding fixed positions. Contact Stress. Pressing the body against a hard or sharp edge can result in placing too much pressure on nerves, tendons and blood vessels. For example, using the palm of your hand as a hammer can increase your risk of suffering an MSD. Vibration. Operating vibrating tools such as sanders, grinders, chippers, routers, drills and other saws can lead to nerve damage.

OSHA’s standard requires employers to respond to employee reports of work-related MSDs or signs and symptoms of MSDs that last seven days after you report them. If your employer determines that your MSD, or MSD signs or symptoms, can be connected to your job, your employer must provide you with an opportunity to contact a health care professional and receive work restrictions, if necessary. Your wages and benefits must be protected for a period of time while on light duty or temporarily off work to recover.

An employer must analyze the job and if MSD hazards are found, must take steps to reduce those hazards.

An employer is required to make available a summary of the OSHA ergonomics standards.

The full standard can be found at http://www.osha.gov.

Basic Human Repetitive Motion Disorders (RMDs

Ergonomic Information

The types of (RMDs) Repetitive Motion Disorders injuries that may occur in a pet grooming practice are often different from ones occurring in the business office or in supermarket checkouts.  Although tendonitis is the most common form of RMD for assembly line workers, painters and others with limited, repeated movements of the wrist and hands, “Trigger Finger,” “Raynaud’s syndrome” and back disorders are the most common RMDs for untrained pet grooming practitioners.

<                     “Trigger finger” is a tendon disorder where a groove in the flexing tendon of the finger develops from long-term use of tools or instruments that have handles with hard or sharp edges - like grooming shears/scissors.  Ill designed and improper use of  ergonomic designed grooming tools such as brushes can cause RMDs. This condition causes the tendon to becomes “locked” in the sheath and attempts to move the finger will cause snapping and jerking movements.  Using tools with angled and larger rounder handles correctly will often prevent this condition.

<                     “Raynaud’s syndrome” or white finger, occurs when the blood vessels of the hand are damaged from repeated exposure to vibration for long periods of time - as when using electric clippers for five or six hours per day.  The skin and muscles are unable to get the necessary oxygen and eventually die.  Common symptoms include intermittent numbness and tingling in the fingers; skin that turns pale, ashen and cold; and eventual loss of sensation and control in the fingers and hand.  This condition seems to intensify when the hands are exposed to extremely cold temperatures.  There is no medical remedy for this condition except elimination or reduction of the vibrations before permanent damage occurs.

Back disorders account for a significant loss of productivity as well as large compensation costs for the business. They are also the source of a great deal of discomfort for the staff member who is injured.  Back disorders are categorized as RMDs because the majority of workplace back injuries are the result of chronic, long-term trauma to the back muscles, ligaments, tendons and disks rather than from one specific incident.  When back muscles or ligaments are injured from repetitive pulling and straining, the weakening of all the back structures makes additional injuries more likely.  Although any staff member can injure their back, housekeepers and stock workers are most at risk for these injuries because of the constant repetitive nature of their work.  Things like mopping floors, lifting trashcans or handling large numbers of boxes or goods can all cause injury unless they are done properly.

Signs and Symptoms that you have or are experiencing?

A person suffering from MSDs or RMDs may experience less strength for gripping, less range of motion, loss of muscle function and may not have the ability to accept training or perform safely the everyday tasks of pet handling and pet grooming. Common symptoms include:  

MSDs and RMDs are injuries that affect muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints or spinal discs. 

Has your doctor told you that you have one of the following common MSDs or RMDs.     oNo    o Yes    

If  Yes - Indicate in the appropriate Boxes below o  with a  ü- Mark  - any symptoms you may have experienced. 

Indicate in the appropriate Boxes below  o  with a  X -  Mark  any condition you have been diagnosed and/or been treated for in the past.

Were any employment related: ___Yes ___ No

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YUPPIE PUPPY STUDIOS sm

GROOMONICS sm  ^of GROOMOLOGY^®

Pet Grooming & Ergonomics 

Must be signed by applicant when training and employment potential has been determined.  

All information completed or shared by applicant is held in strict confidence.

About Your signs or symptoms of MSD’s or RMD’s !

If MSD or RMDs signs and symptoms are not reported early, permanent disability may result. It is important that you report MSD signs and symptoms right away to avoid long-lasting problems.  

Notify the Employers Contact Person: Rick Neely - Studios Master to report signs or symptoms of MSD or RMD hazards.

Methods of Reporting:  

Employees - (1st) First Report - May be Verbal but will be documentation by the employer. An Employees  (2^nd) Second Report (about the same issue) must be a Written Notice by the Employee to the Employers - Contact Person. I understand the employer values the health of its employees and safety of pets. I agree to make verbal and written reports promptly. (Using - Yuppie Puppy Studios – GROOMONICS of  ERGONOMICS  Form)

I have read and understand if approved for employment it is/will be my duty to report to this employer any symptoms and signs I may experience during my training and employment. I understand it is my responsibility to report to this employer any suggestions on how to modify within reason a pet grooming and/or animal handling procedure or work situation that may be causing a MSD problem for myself and/or a pet. I further declare I have noted any possible MSDs and/or RMDs symptoms, signs and/or injuries, I may have experienced or suffered before my employment with Yuppie Puppy Studios as noted by my initials in the appropriate Boxs in sections A & B and herein. I also acknowledge receipt of a copy of this MSD and attached RMDs information with my signature below.

__________________________________

Employee Signature                                                                              Date

                      (Sign Only When Approved for Training & Employment )

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