Wellness in the workplace

Workstations can deteriorate and lead to the re-emergence of musculoskeletal risk factors over time. That’s why we provide professional ergonomic assessments and education to organizations and their employees. These assessments include the adjustment of the workstation for the individual, as well as education for individuals on how to adjust their own workstation.

When required, we provide individuals with an ergonomic workbook containing stretches which can be performed at the desk. We can also provide training on keyboard shortcuts and simple guidelines for adjusting various desk components such as the monitor, chair and keyboard for optimal use. Every one of our assessments and educational services are available to clients in remote sites, corporate offices, stations and for personnel on patrol.

Our ergonomic assessment process

Kinesiologists or occupational therapists conduct our ergonomic assessments. Following the evaluation, ergonomic reports are provided to our client. Ergonomic concerns are first addressed by making recommended adjustments to existing equipment. If special equipment is required, that need is highlighted in our assessment report.

Ergonomic training and education seminars

Through training and education seminars, our team will educate your workforce on the importance of ergonomics. This training is conducted by a certified kinesiologist or occupational therapist who brings client employees through a demonstration to teach them how to properly conduct an ergonomic assessment including training on how to set up a workstation and the various aspects on ergonomic setup.

Other ergonomic and injury prevention services

In addition to our ergonomic assessments and education, we provide a broad range of injury prevention services. These services are based on job demands analysis information and highlight relevant ergonomic concerns specific to the worker and the environment

Our Personal Injury Prevention Plans (PIPP) highlight relevant ergonomic concerns and risk factors including injury and illness.

We tailor our approach, education and counselling based on the worker and occupation.

How we work

Each PIPP starts with a detailed analysis of the physical job functions required of the worker. Physical aspects that range from prolonged standing, sitting and walking, to lifting, carrying and even cognitive and mental strains are identified. Using the data gathered during the initial job functions analysis, our team of professionals detail a list of conditions that a worker in that job function could be at risk of suffering.

Following the identification of job specific risks, we work with the client to develop injury prevention controls and job function modifications that will help mitigate risk and ultimately protect the worker’s health and safety on the job. We provide workers with occupationally specific controls such as task rotation, proper rest intervals, flexibility, proper nutrition and correct body position that they can employ while working.

Throughout the exploratory and counseling phases of our PIPP programs, both kinesiologists and physiotherapists are utilized.

Our researchers are subject matter experts who have been published in peer reviewed journals for research in stretching and our warm-up program methodologies are based on this same scientific research. We have experience in creating industry and job-specific approaches based on job demands analyses.

We are able to customize warm-up programs to each worker position. Individual programs and stretches can be assigned online, are accessible to workers at any time and address worker flexibility both pre, during and post shift.

• Stretching video and presentation

• Stretching cards (4 phases) for pocket reference

• Stretching posters for handover areas

• Newsletter on stretching

• Human factors cards

• In-room workout posters

• Foam rolling

• Active stretching

• Static stretching

We have years of experience providing our clients with a variety of fully customizable educational workshops. All of our presentations have been developed by doctors, registered dietitians, certified athletic therapists and physical therapists, kinesiologists, elite athletes and personal trainers.

Presentations are customized based on the group size, length of time allotted and goals of the client. They are also complimented with take-home educational newsletters corresponding to the topic. Some commonly requested topics and presentations include:

As part of our nutrition coaching program, our registered dietitians (RDs) visit client locations to work directly with the employer and their workforce. During these visits, our RDs will audit kitchens and snack stations, update branding and signage, work one on one with employees to develop educational material and train galley and catering team members on completing audits on healthy options.

Healthy advice

Our RDs use their knowledge and skills in food and nutrition to promote good health across client workforces. They are healthcare professionals who have earned a bachelor’s degree specializing in food and nutrition and have completed supervised practical training through a university program, an approved hospital or community setting. RDs are accountable to provincial regulatory bodies for their professional conduct and the care and advice they provide.

Resources and coaching

Our RDs leverage our comprehensive database of nutrition resources along with their extensive knowledge of food science to provide realistic and effective plans for employees. Workers can receive individual nutrition coaching using technology to provide comprehensive plans that fit real life challenges no matter where the worker is located.

In addition to developing customized nutrition coaching programs, we can also implement communication plans to help drive employee engagement and participation.

Other healthy eating and nutrition services include:

• Individualized nutrition consulting

• Employee nutrition seminars

• Nutrition-focused corporate wellness contests

We will ensure your employees are kept engaged with our online health portal which provides access to their workouts/stretching programs, nutrition plans, health risk information and monthly education campaigns. With our online wellness portal, our clients’ see trends and risks in their employee population, and they are then able to provide targeted, preventative solutions and programs. It is an all-in-one, personalized health solution that empowers employees to be proactive, including:

• Real-time health assessments

• Medical document storage

• Connection to health apps and devices

• Tracking medications, appointments and goals

• Proactive health tips and reminders

• Complete privacy and security

Our galley/cafeteria nutrition education training was developed, in collaboration with our registered dietitians, to educate and coach clients’ food service teams on the theory and delivery of proper nutrition as it relates to fuelling the needs of their workforce. The training includes all the materials galley members need in order to provide healthy food choices during meal and snack times including:

• Guided instruction

• Workbooks and videos for all food team members

• Recipe books for all food team members

• Signage to educate workers

• Certificates of completion

Our entire training program and the associated materials were developed. alongside food service companies. The training offers applicable solutions even to issues specific to remote environments and large crews.

By understanding the needs of the workforce, galley/cafeteria teams can:

• Create healthy meals for a large number of crew

• Balance nutrients necessary for recovery in various occupations

• Focus on food preparation with health risks of workers in mind

• Maintain food budgets while still providing healthy, tasty options

After years of working towards the improvement of galley/cafeteria menus, our specialists have developed a colour coding system for menus so that workers can easily maintain a diet and meal plan that will support healthy lifestyle changes.

Tapping into our network of athletes and personal trainers, we have the tools, training and expertise to educate, inspire and put your workforce on the path to lasting wellness. This can have positive impact on productivity, satisfaction scores and employee retention.

We understand that becoming fit is a very personal endeavor. That’s why our kinesiologists can help workers by creating individual exercise plans suitable to their own specific goals. Workers are also provided with coaching and education on how to reduce injury or work with current injuries.