PErforM for work teams
Insert presenters
names and titles
Manual tasks risk factors
Manual tasks
DVD- 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.
PErforM risk assessment tool
Worksheet 2 - Risk factor assessment
Risk factors:
Body map:
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•
•
•
•
• body part.
exertion
awkward posture
vibration
duration
Repetition.
Body map
Neck
Shoulders
Upper back
Lower back
Elbows
Hips/thighs
Wrists/hands
Knees
Lower legs
Ankles/feet
PErforM task - worksheet 2
Scenario – lifting lid on pre-heater box
Lid was:
• catching on the lip of the pre-heater
resulting in forceful jerky movements
• heavy and awkward to lift.
Worker exerting force and awkward
postures to lift the lid on the pre-heater.
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
Hierarchy of control
Elimination
Elimination
Engineering
Work teams are trained
to use control the
hierarchy to eliminate or
reduce risk
Hierarchy of control
Substitution
Isolation
?
?
Administration
Team lift
•J ob rotation
• Change of workflow
• Task specific training
• Preventative maintenance program
• Personal protective equipment
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.
Implementing controls
• Consider:
– short term
– medium term
– long term.
• Maintain ongoing communication and
participation between workers,
supervisors and managers.
Monitor and review
• To ensure:
– controls are working effectively
– risk factors have been reduced
– another hazard or risk has not been created.
Practical
Where to from here?
• Ongoing risk assessments.
• Communication with managers.
• Controls.