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JUNE 2008 Cover Story:
Tools You Can Use
The right grooming tools offer the perfect blend of performance, versatility, comfort, and value.
Did you know that groomers are particularly susceptible to repetitive motion injuries caused by performing the same actions over and over again?
Our Master Grooming Tools™ are designed with ergonomics in mind to prevent injuries and make your workday easier and more comfortable. The unique, angled designs and comfortable handles help to reduce the strain on hands and wrists, so you can work with more accuracy and efficiency.
An Ergonomic Grooming Tool a Day Will Help Keep the Doc Away
Ergonomic tools reduce the risk of repetitive stress injuries
 The Pain of Repetitive Stress Injuries
Shortened Career Path
PetEdge Offers Ergonomic Grooming Tools to Help Reduce the Risk of RSIs
Proper Technique Speaks Volumes
The Key to RSIs
Resources for Groomers
Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSIs) … three dirty words no groomer wants to hear, yet groomers are incredibly susceptible to them nonetheless because of the nature of their work. In general, these types of injuries account for a major portion of the cost of work-related illness in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is hope and PetEdge can help. First, here’s a look at some facts regarding RSIs.
The Pain of Repetitive Stress Injuries
Performing the same types of movements over and over again, such as brushing through coats, can exert too much stress on a body part and result in an RSI
Depending on the specific type of injury, pain can range from dull to sharp, and those suffering can experience tingling sensations, numbness, or weakness to name a few
Groomers and stylists are particularly susceptible to repetitive stress injuries such as tendonitis, bursitis, torn rotator cuffs and carpal tunnel syndrome
Clearly you want to avoid injuries to reduce your chance of lost profits from being unable to perform your job, to avoid lifelong pain and to avoid potentially job-threatening physical disabilities. Luckily there is light at the end of the tunnel and there are things you can do to help avoid RSIs. In fact, PetEdge offers several solutions for you. Read on to find out more.
Shortened Career Path
Did you know? Many groomers don’t last much more than 10 years in the industry, mainly as a result of damage caused from RSIs and poor techniques, according to Carrie Bechard, a professional groomer and PetEdge Technical Support Advisor. Some groomers can develop poor techniques because they learned through apprenticing from other groomers who have “done it that way” their whole life, and because resources for groomers are hard to find regarding better workplace safety and ergonomic practices.
Being a groomer is a physically demanding job. If grooming is your livelihood, you want to do everything you can to ensure you can do it for as long–and hopefully as pain-free–as possible. Using tools designed to work with your body’s natural mechanics and not against it, is the first step in the right direction to preventing RSIs. You will save time and money by using ergonomic tools that allow you to “work smarter, not harder.” You will have less wear and tear on your body and you will be able to groom more efficiently for an extended period of time, ultimately increasing your potential for financial success. Look at what PetEdge has to offer.
- PetEdge Offers Ergonomic Grooming Tools to Help Reduce the Risk of RSIs
- PetEdge carries many ergonomically smart tools to help you do your job better, more comfortably and with less risk to RSIs.
- We carry more than 25 exclusive PetEdge tools ranging from slickers, strippers, combs, rakes, and deshedders–all with a specially designed Ergonomic Handle with our unique, patented technology that offers the ultimate in comfort and control
- We even offer a lifetime guarantee on all products with our specially designed Ergonomic Handle
Take a look at some of the specific products we carry to help make your job more comfortable.
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Our Slicker Brushes feature our Ergonomic Handle made of ribbed rubber for comfort and grip to keep hands from sliding. The soft rubber handle feels full in the hand and is soft-to-the-touch from the first dog of the morning to the last dog of the afternoon.
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Our Grooming and Dematting Combs not only offer our patented Ergonomic Handles, but also a specially designed angle that helps to reduce bent wrists associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Tools such as these combs with the handle and angle combo allow groomers to hold them in a more natural position. They keep the wrist straight reducing tension on the muscles and joint. They also alleviate fatigue and pain and dramatically reduce the risk of RSIs.
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When choosing scissors, look for an Offset Scissor with a short thumb shank to allow for a more natural hand position when cutting.
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Swivel Thumbhole Scissors allow for a more natural position by not constricting the thumb in a locked position.
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Rubber Finger and Thumb Rings will help ensure a good grip and they help to ensure that just a portion of the fingers and thumb are inserted, as the scissors are intended to be used. These are also great for smaller hands to take up excess space.
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Proper Technique Speaks Volumes
It’s more than just using the proper tools. Groomers must maintain proper technique as well. Utilizing proper technique is the second step to reducing the chance of developing an RSI.
For example, when brushing through a pet’s fur, don’t allow the wrists to “flick.”
Instead, the wrist should be straight and follow through with each stroke.
Practicing proper techniques will not only reduce a groomer’s chances of injury but also provide a more enjoyable experience for the pet, since “flicking” the wrist points the tip of the brush directly into the pet’s skin, potentially causing damage that is not as likely to occur when following through with each stroke.
The Key to RSIs
Keep in mind, many grooming salons do not offer health insurance to employees. Ask yourself, can you or anyone in the shop, really afford to miss work due to injuries sustained on the job? The key to Repetitive Stress Injuries is to prevent them altogether. Taking the necessary precautions ahead of time and performing “preventive maintenance” will help to extend the life of your grooming services and reduce the potential for injury and lost profits.
Resources for Groomers
International Society for Canine Cosmetologists (ISCC)
Look for a series of tips sheets (being released in 2008) targeting groomers and workplace safety, including ergonomics. The tip sheets were developed with and approved by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Shelter Pub Website
This particular page contains an excerpt of Hand, Wrist and Forearm Exercises from Bob Anderson’s book, Stretching. The site also contains information on ergonomics.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Learn about ergonomics in the workplace.
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