Ergonomic Initiative Program Overview

Purpose

The purpose of the Ergonomic Initiative is to reduce or eliminate cumulative-type injuries at the workplace. What typically begins as minor aches or pains, if ignored, has the potential to develop into costly claims. Through the Ergonomic Initiative Program, Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI) will be offering the employers of North Dakota the resources, as well as financial assistance, to address their ergonomic issues.

Ergonomic Initiative and Ergonomic Grant Step-by-Step Process

  1. Submit a complete Ergonomic Initiative Employer Application to WSI.
  2. If approved, you will receive email notification of approval.
  3. You may then select AIM Physical Therapy as a provider for the ergonomic services *.
  4. After the final assessment from AIM Physical Therapy has been completed, the employer is now eligible for the Ergonomic Initiative Grant Program.
  5. If equipment has been recommended through the initiative process, AIM Physical Therapy will assist the employer in completion of the Ergonomic Initiative Grant Application requesting these recommendations.
  6. If grant application is approved, and after agreements have been signed by WSI and the employer, then the employer may order/purchase equipment.
  7. After the equipment has arrived and payment has been made, the employer submits a reimbursement request for up to 75% of the cost of the equipment **.

* Financial Assistance for Provider Services Fees charged by vendors under this program are paid by WSI at a 3:1 ratio, meaning WSI pays for 75% of the project cost and the employer is responsible for the remaining 25%. The amount of work and type of services performed will vary with each employer, depending on their needs. Some of the factors that will be considered will be the number of employees, number of job classifications, type of work being performed, and claims history (frequency and severity). On-site services may include:

  • On-site ergonomic assessments in which potential or existing problems will be identified
  • Ergonomic recommendations and interventions
  • Assistance with the selection of appropriate ergonomic equipment
  • Employer and employee ergonomic training

A key component of this program is on-site training for employers and employees. By providing the basic tools necessary to conduct ergonomic assessments; they will be able to address some of these issues early on, before they become claims.

** Financial Assistance for Ergonomic Equipment Purchases As part of the Ergonomic Initiative, a Grant Program is available for those employers who have participated in this program. If the assessments conducted during the ergo initiative warrant ergonomic equipment purchases, employers may be eligible for assistance with these purchases through the ergonomic initiative grant program of up to 75% of the cost of the equipment.

For more details, contact AIM Physical Therapy at 258-7730.