Mr. Andriola is a logistics agent in the sterilization and pharmacy department at the Carcassonne Hospital. Recognized as a disabled worker, he has been working full time in this department for four years. He has been a permanent employee since 2010, and previously held several positions: maintenance and upkeep, laundry sorting manager, and driver in the transport department.
The position he currently holds involves a variety of activities and tasks: handling and transporting materials, cleaning, sorting and tidying, receiving and logistical tasks, preparing products for the pharmacy store...
Because of his disability, Mr. Andriola has difficulty with some of these tasks, especially those that require handling, carrying heavy loads or maneuvering, such as forceful pushing and pulling.
Proposals for accommodation made by the Cap Emploi maintenance service
The support provided by Cap Emploi began with a job study in the field in March 2022. The counselor was then able to observe the reality of Mr. Andriola's work and to note his difficulties linked to his handicap. Subsequently, proposals for adaptations and trials of equipment were made, in particular with handling equipment and cupboards that were already available at the hospital.
This test phase was carried out in the presence of the health executive, the head of the sterilization department, the occupational physician, as well as the disability and social assistance referent of the Carcassonne hospital center, in the hemodialysis resuscitation department, the geriatric care department and the operating room department.
These tests have allowed for an efficient reorganization and reorganization of the space: there is no longer any towing or handling effort to move the cabinets, which can weigh up to 200 kg. Built-in carts on wheels have also been provided for Mr. Andriola: this will save him from carrying the heaviest loads for the sterilization department. In addition, for washing tasks, it was proposed to raise the containers to avoid awkward postures, mainly of the back. Steel tables were also provided in the other departments so that Mr. Andriola could easily transfer materials from one room to another.
The exoskeleton, a solution to alleviate the difficulties related to handling and carrying loads
In order to facilitate handling and carrying loads, it was proposed that Mr. Andriola be equipped with a HAPO-type exoskeleton: the posture harness he tested is easy to use and can be put on like a backpack. It is also a light (1.2kg) and discreet harness: it allows a great freedom of movement such as sitting, driving, going up or down stairs. Its assistance power is 14 kg. Thus, the use of the exoskeleton in addition to the provision of carts has allowed Mr. Andriola to considerably reduce the difficulties related to handling and carrying loads.
Mr. Andriola, a successful job retention
The support work of the Cap Emploi's maintenance service carried out in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team (employee, occupational physician, health manager, social worker, equipment suppliers, etc.) has borne fruit: Mr. Andriola can now continue his missions in conditions adapted to his pathology.
An article CAP EMPLOI 11 to be found online.
