Chartered Physiotherapists
in Occupational Health and Ergonomics
Occupational Physiotherapy Solutions (OPS) is a QQI quality assured company providing consultancy and training services in the areas of workplace ergonomics and occupational health. The two directors Muriel Johnson and Lelia Jennings are chartered physiotherapists who have specialised in these areas and obtained considerable knowledge and expertise. OPS provide a range of integrated advisory, assessment, training and support services to assist employers maintain a healthy workforce, and meet the requirements of relevant workplace health and safety legislation.
OPS has a wide range of clients across the public and private sectors, to include healthcare, multinational IT companies, financial institutions and utilities.
Muriel Johnson, SMISCP, M.Appl.Sc, MIES
Muriel Johnson (muriel@oops.ie) is a chartered physiotherapist who has specialised in the areas of occupational health and ergonomics. In 1993 Muriel completed a post graduate Diploma for chartered physiotherapists in Health, Safety and Welfare at Work from UCD. Muriel then completed a master’s degree by research in 1995 on risk factors for occupational back pain and an ergonomic approach to prevention and management. Muriel also completed a Diploma in Healthcare Risk management from UCD.
Muriel became a specialist member of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists in 2013 in the area of occupational health and ergonomics
Muriel’s current research interests are in the areas of sedentary behaviours and the management of musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace.
Muriel manages the ergonomics programme in a number of multinational IT companies, and provides ergonomics consultancy and training services in a variety of workplace sectors. Muriel delivers the manual/people handling module for first year physiotherapy students in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
Memberships include the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists, Back Exchange’ in the UK, and the Irish Ergonomics Society. Muriel is a past chairperson of the clinical interest group ‘Chartered Physiotherapists in Occupational Health and Ergonomics.
Lelia Jennings, MISCP, Dip SHWW (Physiotherapy)
Lelia Jennings (lelia@oops.ie) is a Chartered Physiotherapist who specialises in the area of ergonomics and occupational health. Lelia completed the diploma in Safety, Health and Welfare at Work for chartered physiotherapists in UCD. This diploma incorporated a manual handling instructor’s course for chartered physiotherapists. Lelia has also completed a certificate course in Continuing Education and Training (NUI).
Lelia has a significant interest in the prevention of work related musculso-skeletal disorders (MSDs), in particular in the healthcare industry and in the office environment. Lelia manages the office ergonomics programmes in a number of technology companies.
In the healthcare industry Lelia has delivered manual and patient handling training at operative and instructor level for many years. She has been actively involved in developing manual handling policy and manual and people handling risk assessments for client organisations.
Lelia is a member of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists, of ‘Back Exchange’ in the UK and the Irish Ergonomics Society. Lelia is a past chairperson of the special interest group “Chartered Physiotherapists in Occupational Health and Ergonomics (CPOHE).