PErforM for work teams Insert presenters names and titles

Manual tasks

Manual tasks risk factors

D VD- No sprains, big gains

Meaning of hazardous manual task

“Means a task that requires a person to lift, lower, push, pull, carry or otherwise move, hold or restrain any person, animal or thing that involves one or more of the following:

(a) repetitive or sustained force (b) high or sudden force (c) repetitive movement (d) sustained or awkward posture (e)exposure to vibration.”

[Schedule 19 - Dictionary]

Manual tasks related injuries • Single, one off exposure:

– due to maximum exertion or over load incident

– quite rare. • Repeated exposure:

– ongoing wear and tear – variety of risk factors – more common.

• Combination of both of the above.

Risk factors: Force

• Greater force - greater risk.

• Speed and jerk. • Factors that

increase effort.

Risk factors: Working postures

• Awkward. • Static.

Risk factors: Mechanical vibration

• Whole body vibration – vibration is

transmitted through the whole body

• Hand/arm vibration – vibration is

transferred to the hand/arm via eg use of a vibrating tool

Risk factors: Duration • Time taken to perform the

task once or repeatedly without a break.

• Amount of time exposed to a risk factor.

Photos: Daryl Dickenson

Risk factors: Repetition

• Short cycle time < 30 seconds.

• Continuously for one hour.

PErforM risk assessment tool

Worksheet 1 - Manual tasks risk assessment form:

• Date of assessment and location.

• Risk assessors.

• Task description.

Worksheet 2 - Risk factor assessment

Risk factors: • exertion • awkward posture • vibration • duration • Repetition.

Body map: • body part.

PErforM risk assessment tool

Neck

Upper back

Elbows

Wrists/hands

Knees

Ankles/feet

Shoulders

Lower back

Hips/thighs Lower legs

Body map

PErforM task - worksheet 2

Scenario – lifting lid on pre-heater box

Worker exerting force and awkward postures to lift the lid on the pre-heater.

Lid was: • catching on the lip of the pre-heater resulting in forceful jerky movements • heavy and awkward to lift.

Risk assessment - before

PErforM team control measure

• Sun Metals reduced the forceful exertions and awkward postures by repairing the lid so that it no longer caught on the lip of the pre-heater.

• By putting a hinge down the middle of the lid it can easily be opened from each side.

Pre-heater with lid cut in half and hinges installed.

Worker opening pre-heater with lid cut in half and hinges installed.

Case study - control

Elimination

Engineering

Hierarchy of control

Elimination

Work teams are trained to use control the hierarchy to eliminate or reduce risk

Hierarchy of control

Substitution

? ?

Isolation

Administration

•J ob rotation • Change of workflow • Task specific training • Preventative maintenance program • Personal protective equipment

Team lift

Risk controls

Developing control ideas: • link the control to the risk factor • consult with workers and others • look for different ways • look at similar tasks for ideas • find out what are others are doing • talk to suppliers • trial before implementation.

Focus controls on sources of risk:

• Change design or layout of work areas. • Changing the nature, size, weight or

number of persons, animals and things handled.

• Systems of work. • Work environment.

Work area design / layout

Good design includes:

– suitable working heights – adequate space – frequently used items in easy reach – adjustable to suit all workers.

Changing the nature, size, weight or number of persons, animals and things handled

Consider:

– load handling – tools and equipment – maintenance.

System of work

• Guidelines include:

– control work load – suitable work pace – task variation – maintenance schedules – match task demands with workers’ capability – training.

Work environment

• Vibration exposure. • Cold conditions. • Heat and humidity. • Windy conditions. • Floors and surfaces. • Lighting.

• Consider: – short term – medium term – long term.

• Maintain ongoing communication and participation between workers, supervisors and managers.

Implementing controls

• To ensure: – controls are working effectively

– risk factors have been reduced – another hazard or risk has not been created.

Monitor and review

Practical

Where to from here?

• Ongoing risk assessments. • Communication with managers. • Controls.