State of Maine Ergonomic, Prevention, & Peer Evaluation Program
Working under the supervision of the State of Maine Ergonomics Program therapy staff, peer evaluators perform baseline evaluations for their coworkers who have no current reports of pain or injury. This program has been implemented throughout the state, from Kittery to Fort Kent, and assists departments in reaching compliance with the State’s Ergonomic Policy. Evaluation requests from all departments statewide are sent to specific departmental designees within Human Resources, who submit requests to the State of Maine Ergonomics Program through a web-based data management site. These evaluations are then assigned to evaluators. Once completed, the evaluations are reviewed and approved by a licensed occupational or physical therapist before distribution.
Why do a workstation evaluation?
Maine State law requires that any employee who works on or at a video display terminal (VDT) for a minimum of four hours a day receive education to decrease the risk of injury at that workstation. As an employer, the State of Maine has gone a step further and strives to complete a workstation evaluation for any employee who uses a computer for more than an hour a day. The Peer Evaluation Program was created to enable the State to meet this goal.
Who Are the Peer Evaluators?
Peer Evaluators are State employees who are trained in ergonomic concepts, anatomy, physiology, and corrective measures to assist fellow employees in working more safely and efficiently. After ten hours of training provided by the therapy staff, peers are assigned to perform workstation checks within their given departments. Thus, they are a vital part of the injury prevention puzzle.
What are the benefits of becoming a Peer Evaluator?
There are also benefits, in addition to helping another employee, for the evaluator. Peers earn valuable skills that allow them to be an integral part of the injury management team. Peers also learn skills that make them valuable assets in other departments. If they were to transfer, many departments are actively recruiting peers, and bringing these skills with them is a tremendous asset.
Join our team – We’re on the lookout for YOU!
We are always on the lookout for new peer evaluators in all departments statewide. Please join us in attending our new peer evaluator training program classes to become a peer evaluator within your location. We offer classes multiple times throughout the year. We will train you, provide ongoing support to you, and you will get a certificate of completion showcasing your new skills while joining our ergonomic team of evaluators. Evaluators are encouraged to stay up to date in these skillsets by further participating in a refresher class on a yearly basis, helping you to keep your skills sharp and your co-workers work safer.
New peer evaluator classes are open to all State of Maine Employees! This is your chance to learn a specialized skill set as a trained peer evaluator. You will be able to complete ergonomic workstation evaluations, providing a healthier work environment for your peers within your location, with ongoing support and assistance.
Email stateofmaineergonomics@mainegeneral.org to register or get added to our future class contact list.
Curious about ergonomics in the workplace?
Explore the WellStarME Resource Hub for helpful information and tools, and check out the Living Resources Program for additional resources by searching "Ergonomics".
Take a moment to watch our short video to learn how the Peer Evaluator Program supports ergonomics and helps create safer, more comfortable workspaces for everyone!