Element B9 / 2 Assessing Risks MSD s / Man Handling / Poor Posture

Transcription

1 Assessing Risks MSD s / Man Handling / Poor Posture

2 Legal Requirements HASAWA Sec 2 (2) -. Use, handling, storage, transport of articles and substances MHSWR Assessments Manual Handling Operations (MHOR) 1992 Assess risks from manual handling operations Hierarchy Avoid SFAIRP S+S R/A of those that cannot be avoided Reduce risk of injury SFAIRP

3 Legal Requirements Employees HASAWA and MHSWR Make full and proper use of equipment or SOW provided by employer Inform employer about any physical condition suffered which will affect ability to undertake manual handling operations safely

4 Legal Requirements Health and Safety (DSE) Regs 1992 Reduce risks from DSE Users - habitually use DSE as significant part of normal work Employers- Analyse workstations assess and reduce risks Ensure workstations meet min requirements Equipment, environment, interface between user and equipment Plan work activities breaks, work rotation Provide eye sight tests on request, and special specs if needed Info, training before person becomes a user Assess the need for rest breaks

5 Legal Requirements Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regs 1992 Workplace Regs Reduce risks in workplace Including MSD s Workplace environment Workstations and seating Those not covered by DSE Benches, etc. Lighting Room dimensions Cleanliness Suitable workstation

6 Task Considerations Manual Handling, Poor Posture, Repetitive Physical Activities Repetition more = risk Posture Held for long periods, or os awkward Duration Without rest Duration of given task During shift Over time

7 Load Considerations Manual Handling, Poor Posture, Repetitive Physical Activities Weight Bulky Unwieldy Difficulty in grasping load Unstable loads Sharp, hot or otherwise

8 Considerations Manual Handling, Poor Posture, Repetitive Physical Activities Force Force necessary to move or handle and object To hold a tool or material being worked on Speed of application of the force Excessive force by use of muscles? Reactive forces effect From grip of equip Duration force is applied

9 Considerations Manual Handling, Poor Posture, Repetitive Physical Activities Working Environment Space requirements Sufficient be able to change position and vary movements Layout No easy access to equip = poor posture Lighting Good general and local, no glare or reflections Noise and vibration Temperature not unreasonable Humidity Too low affect eyes of DSE users

10 Considerations Manual Handling, Poor Posture, Repetitive Physical Activities Equipment Load handling equipment Minimise physical effort Tools for leverage or additional grip DSE Screen Keyboard Desk or work surface Chair

11 Considerations Manual Handling, Poor Posture, Repetitive Physical Activities Individual Capability Capability required by the work Variety of workers body sizes Does the work require unusual capability Info, training required Individuals eyesight consider- Women (pregnant) Young workers Medical history back, knees, hips etc Disability Physical or mental

12 Lifting Guidelines for Assessment Handling Operations MHOR no upper limit of weight Approx boundaries at which risk may be present Assessment should determine any risk HSE Guideline Figures Reasonable protection Not Limits! Women = 1/3 less than men

13 Guidelines for Assessment Handling Operations Carrying Guideline figures similar to lifting and lowering Assumes load against body and distance of 10 metres If over longer distance reduce figure While seated Guideline figures only within box zone Outside this zone more detailed assessment

14 Guidelines for Assessment Handling Operations Twisting Reduce guideline figures if handler twists during operation 10% for twist through 45 degrees 20% for through 90 degrees ASSUMPTIONS Trunk not twisted Both hands used Hands not more than shoulder width apart Load central in front of body, is stable Work area does not restrict posture Work environment and any PPE do not interfere woth performance of the task

15 Assessment Handling Operations Assessing the Task Headroom Stooping = bad Highest risk = stoop, lift, twist If cannot be designed out of task help may be required with the lifting element

16 Assessment Handling Operations Assessing the Task Working on different levels Steps, stairs, ladders Need hand to grip ladders, handrails etc View obscured feet etc Height of storage To eliminate lifting where possible Best = waist height

17 Assessment Handling Operations Assessing the Task Holding load away from body Stress on the back At arms length safe load reduced by 80% Posture Not just heavy, awkward loads Over stretching, twisting, lifting with back Whilst seated Twisting, reaching

18 Assessment Handling Operations Assessing the Task PPE Can add additional stress Comfort and mobility Rest Highly repetitive work suitable rest breaks Job rotation

19 Assessment Handling Operations Assessing the Load Not just weight Size Centre of gravity How will it be lifted Any PPE required Fragile or damaged packaging Secure load Static / moving / unstable

20 Assessment Handling Operations Assessing the Force Pushing and pulling Guideline figures Starting or stopping a load = 250 Newtons Keeping in motion = 100 Newtons 100 Newtons = about 10Kg No specific distances as long as rest or recovery

21 Assessment Handling Operations Assessing the Working Environment Look at area see what is there Experience and training Over familiarity with poor conditions = poor perception of hazards Floors Slips, trips, falls. Uneven or slippery Housekeeping Distance between storage areas Over 10m = growing risk Temp, humidity High temp fatigue Low temp cold fingers High winds lack of control of load Poor lighting Prevents proper assessment of environment Bright to dark 5 seconds for eyes to adjust Read packaging info, ID any warnings about weight, contents, uneven distribution of load within package

22 Assessment Handling Operations Assessing Equipment Mechanical assistance reduces risk Should be good condition Assessing Individual Capability In conjunction with load and task

23 Assessment - DSE Equipment Display screen Well defined and clear, No flickering on screen stable images Easily user adjustable settings Swivel / tilt for user Free of reflective glare

24 Assessment - DSE Equipment Keyboard Possible to tilt Use separately from screen, user finds own comfortable position Space for support in front of keyboard Matt surface avoids glare

25 Assessment - DSE Equipment Work desk / surface Sufficiently large, low-reflectance surface Flexible arrangement of equipment and documents Document holder stable and adjustable Adequate space to find comfortable position

26 Assessment - DSE Equipment Work chair Stable, free movement, comfortable position Adjustable height Seat back should tilt / height adjust Footrest for those who request one

27 Assessment - DSE Environment Lighting Glare Curtains / blinds Noise not distractive Temperature Low humidity Adequate space Level floor desk and chair

28 Assessment - DSE User / Computer Interface Software easy to use Font size, colour definition Work rate not governed by software Rapid work without rest

29 Assessment Poor Posture Repetitive physical movement Manual handling DSE All can result in back pain Mobile machine ops and drivers Poorly adjusted seats WBV

30 Assessment Poor Posture Factors to consider Layout of workstation Relationship of task to individual Constraints of the environment Standing or sitting best? Duration of held posture Opportunities for rest or adjustment Inadequate workstation design, lighting, positioning

31 Assessment Tools HSE Manual Handling Assessment Tool MAC (assessment charts) Originally for inspectors Now open for all on website Each type of assessment there is a guide Flow chart determines level of risk Green low Amber med Red high prompt action needed Purple very high. Serious risk. Requires close scrutiny

32 Assessment Tools HSE ART Tool Assessment of repetitive tasks For tasks that require repetitive movement of upper limbs Numerical scores and traffic light system (same as MAC) NIOSH MMH Checklist National IOSH (USA) Manual Material Handling Similar to MAC

33 Assessment Tools Rapid Upper Limb Assessment RULA Survey method Ergonomic investigations of workplaces where ULD are reported Scoring generates an action plan Quick Exposure Check QEC Changes in exposure to MSD s before and after ergonomic intervention

34 Controls Elimination If not possible then- Automation / Mechanical Assistance Alternative work methods / job design Ergonomic Design of Workstations, Tools, Equipment

35 Controls Job Rotation / Routine Eye Tests DSE regs Training and Information Efficient Movement Principles