Dealing with the Muskuloskeletal problems of guide dog trainers and mobility instructors - United Kingdom

The issue under discussion

Training dogs for blind and partially sighted persons is a lefthanded job, creating one-sided loads on dog trainers/clients' mobility instructors:

• left wrist, forearm and elbow: maintenance of grip, application of force, forearm rotation;
• left shoulder (at socket): transverse extensions and medial rotations to limit the dog's movement; abduction at shoulder particularly with a “crabbing dog”;
• left shoulder (scapula and clavicle): all movements, especially adduction, inferior rotation and elevation of the shoulder, when both giving signals to the dog and controlling its movements;
• low back: with handles of inappropriate length, particularly with a “crabbing dog”;
• left knee, potentially hip and ankle: asymmetrical weight bearing.

A high prevalence of MSDs and absenteeism was noticed, yet trainers/instructors were rarely aware of the risks. They enjoyed their jobs and considered “aches and pains” a part of it, which led to a high level of under-reporting of illness.

Action taken

Alternating between left and right handed training is not possible because this could lead to more “left” or “right” trained dogs and provoke dangerous situations if, for example, the client mistakenly handled a “right” dog as a “left” one.

Together with dog trainers/instructors, risks were assessed and the following measures developed:

• providing different types and lengths of leads and handles to allow workers to match their stature to the dog's height and demeanour;
• rejecting, as early as possible, boisterous dogs which do not respond to training;
• monitoring workers' health;
• providing training targeted at the manual handling issues specific to dog training;
• producing three self-help leaflets;
• stressing the importance of reporting incidents and MSDs to allow better risk identification and prevention.

Results achieved

The feedback from the staff was positive. They felt that “someone” who understood their work and knew about MSDs was listening to them. Their awareness of MSD risks and how to tackle them has increased. As a consequence, more incidents are now reported. The benefits in terms of costs saved are not yet known but a review of the efficiency of the measures is planned for 2008.