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Schulze LJ, Woods CG. Effectiveness of workplace accommodations for a corporate telephone operator with a full left-arm prosthesis: A case study. J Occup Rehabil. 1994;4(2):77-86doi: 10.1007/BF02110047.
Schulze, L. J., & Woods, C. G. (1994). Effectiveness of workplace accommodations for a corporate telephone operator with a full left-arm prosthesis: A case study. Journal of occupational rehabilitation, 4(2), 77-86. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02110047
Schulze, L J, and Woods, C G. "Effectiveness of workplace accommodations for a corporate telephone operator with a full left-arm prosthesis: A case study." Journal of occupational rehabilitation vol. 4,2 (1994): 77-86. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02110047
Schulze LJ, Woods CG. Effectiveness of workplace accommodations for a corporate telephone operator with a full left-arm prosthesis: A case study. J Occup Rehabil. 1994 Jun;4(2):77-86. doi: 10.1007/BF02110047. PMID: 24234327.
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J Occup Rehabil. 1994 Jun;4(2):77-86. doi: 10.1007/BF02110047.

Effectiveness of workplace accommodations for a corporate telephone operator with a full left-arm prosthesis: A case study.

Journal of occupational rehabilitation

L J Schulze, C G Woods

Affiliations

  1. Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Houston, 4800 Calhoun Street, 77204-4812, Houston, Texas.

PMID: 24234327 DOI: 10.1007/BF02110047

Abstract

A corporate telephone operator and voice mail programmer was involved in a serious automobile accident resulting in left-arm amputation and through rehabilitation received a full left-arm prosthesis. Upon returning to work in her previous job capacity, some work activities and work area configurations were identified as problematic during task performance. Work methods and work area configuration were evaluated regarding their appropriateness for supporting return to work and long-term accommodation. Job activity analysis determined all reaches, clearances, and forces and their compliance with recommended criteria. A body part comfort/discomfort survey (BPCDS) was administered pre- and post-accommodation to elicit information regarding workplace problem areas and provide a measure to assess accommodation effectiveness. Workstation, support equipment, work area, seating, task assignments, and work methods were modified to more appropriately support operator task performance. Comparison of pre- and post-accommodation BPCDS indicates a significant reduction in operator discomfort with residual discomfort associated with the orthopedic prosthesis. This case study illustrates the use of the principles and techniques of industrial ergonomics to develop workplace accommodations. The area of ergonomics, medical ergonomics,is an example of the development of reasonable accommodations for physically challenged workers in the spirit of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

References

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