ERGONOMICS OF THE ERGONOMICS OF THE WORKPLACEWORKPLACE( Lifting, lowering or carrying items )

Presented by :-Neha KhuranaAP – 7Roll No. 15

What Manual Material What Manual Material Handling Is?Handling Is?According to the U.S. Department of Labor,

handling is defined as: ◦ Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or

otherwise working with the hand or hands. Fingers are involved only to the extent that they are an extension of the hand, such as to turn a switch or to shift automobile gears.

In other words, handling means that the worker’s hands move individual containers manually by lifting, lowering, filling, emptying, or carrying them.

Why Improve Your Why Improve Your Workplace Workplace Manual handling of containers may expose

workers to physical conditions (e.g., force, awkward postures, and repetitive motions) that can lead to injuries, wasted energy, and wasted time.

To avoid these problems, your organization can directly benefit from improving the fit between the demands of work tasks and the capabilities of your workers.

In short, changing your workplace by improving the fit can benefit your workplace by:

Reducing or preventing injuries

Reducing workers’ efforts by decreasing forces in lifting, handling, pushing, and pulling materials

Reducing risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (e.g., awkward postures from reaching into containers)

Increasing productivity, product and service quality, and worker morale

Lowering costs by reducing or eliminating production bottlenecks, error rates or rejects, use of medical services because of musculoskeletal disorders, workers’ compensation claims, excessive worker turnover, absenteeism, and retraining

Ergonomic StandardsErgonomic Standards

Ergonomic standards are applied to varying degrees.

Following is a list of the standards most widely used by ergonomists.

➤ISO Standard 11228-1➤MMH➤National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) equation

• These standards establish maximum loads for manual handling tasks performed under optimal conditions

• The values need to be adjusted according to five main factors affecting workers’ health and safety:

➤lifting duration (work-time / recovery-time)➤lifting frequency➤properties of load➤working environment➤posture of worker

Maximum load weight Maximum load weight under optimal conditionsunder optimal conditions

Factors for ergonomic Factors for ergonomic evaluation of manual evaluation of manual handling taskshandling tasks• Lifting duration– The longer this time is, the higher the degree of fatigue (Asfour andTritar, 1991).

• Factors such as the frequency and duration of recovery-time also affect fatigue levels and can reduce the impact of other factors such as the total duration of work and the lifting frequency per minute.

Periods of recovery-time allow workers to compensate for the fatigue caused by repetitive handling tasks, and make it easier for workers to sustain their work load.

Lifting frequencyLifting frequency• The second factor is the frequency of handling

tasks, measured in number of lifts per minute.

• This element is factored into the evaluation of the consequences of load weight and lifting duration on worker fatigue.

• The load itself is not the only consideration and the number of manual handling operations performed within a set period of time should also be taken into account (lifting frequency).

• The combined effects of load weight and lifting frequency directly affect worker fatigue (Genaidy, 1989, Asfour, 1991 and Stälhammar, 1996).

• In addition, increases in lifting frequency diminish the worker’s capacity to assess loads (Karkowski, 1992).

• Workers who are unable to estimate loads correctly will not apply appropriate muscular effort and will tire more easily than if they had evaluated the load correctly (Pa t e n a u d e ,1997).

Properties of the loadProperties of the load

The weight of the load is one example. Another is the location of the load: picking up loads from an elevated area is more likely to cause fatigue(Genaidy, 1989, et Water, 1993).

In addition, heavier loads increase the risk of musculoskeletal injuries (Water, 1993, et Hidalgo, 1997).

The grip on the load is another important feature of the load

The grip is a function of the shape, texture (friction rate) and balance of the load.

Workers have to exert greater force to handle loads with a poor grip in a safe way. For example, handles make boxes much easier to handle (Stälhammar, 1989).

Working environmentWorking environment

• This includes the layout of work areas (height of surface where load is picked up and deposited), distances covered with and without load, features of circulation areas (stairs, graded surface, elevators, etc.) temperature and humidity rate.

• These variables directly affect the level of difficulty associated with manual handling tasks (Waters, 1993, et Hidalgo, 1997).

Worker postureWorker postureThe physical strength required to perform the

task increases along with the distance between the centre of gravity of the load and that of the worker.

Excessive distances also cause inter vertebral disks to compress, increasing the risk of lower back injuries (Chaffin, 1999).

Assistance can include a dolly or cart, or help from a co-worker. Employees should be trained in the use of appropriate lifting techniques for different sizes of objects as well as to when it is appropriate to seek assistance.

When holding, lifting or When holding, lifting or carrying itemscarrying items

• Before lifting boxes and cases, check the weight so you can prepare to lift properly.

• Turn the body as a unit to avoid twisting at the waist.

• Keep the item close to your body.

• Keep your back straight.

• Use your leg muscles to do the lifting.

• Lift smoothly without jerking.

• Get close to where you want to set the item down.

How much weight is too How much weight is too much to lift?much to lift?The Occupational Health and Safety

Regulation does not specify a maximum weight that a person can lift. Instead, the Regulation requires that where significant risk of MSI exists, a task be assessed.

• The assessment should consider, at a minimum, the following factors:

• Object characteristics - such as size, shape, availability of handles, weight, stability, texture, and temperature

• Task characteristics - such as frequency and duration of lifting, symmetry of lift, workplace layout, horizontal and vertical distance to the load, and pace

• Work environment - such as temperature, illumination, and vibration

Back Care When LiftingBack Care When LiftingThe Power Position

• You now know that maintaining the neutral (slightly arched) position in the lower back is one of the keys to having a healthy back.

• It is important to maintain this neutral position when sitting as well as when lifting objects.

Athletes and coaches call it the Power position. It is undesirable to spend a lot of time in either the flat back or sway back postures. Now, return to the neutral (Power) position, which is actually somewhere between a stooped, flat back posture and the excessive sway back posture.

Body MechanicsBody Mechanics

Lifting, carrying and reaching — it's not how much you lift or carry, but how you do it. Here are some ways to use your body in the correct manner in work situations.

General Lifting Rules:General Lifting Rules:• Keep head high, chin tucked in and back in

the power position.

• Do as professional weight lifters do — keep back arched when lifting.

• Keep weight close to body and stand up straight.

• Use proper lift technique to get weight in close and maintain a wide, balanced base of support.

General Rules While General Rules While Working:Working:Clear your path.

Keep feet apart for good balance.

Wear comfortable, cushioned, non-slip shoes.

Protect yourself.

Team Work for Heavy LoadsSize up the load. Get help if it is too heavy.

When two or more carry a load, one person should act as the leader. Be sure you can see where you are going.

You can push twice as much as you can pull.

Other Important Tips

• Carry most of the load to the front.• Pivot with your feet — don't twist!• Allow for clearance.

DON'T

• Twist while lifting.• Bend your back forward while lifting.• Carry objects in a bent-over, stooped

posture.

Types of Ergonomic Types of Ergonomic Improvements Improvements

Engineering improvements

Administrative improvements

1. Engineering 1. Engineering Improvements Improvements These include rearranging,

modifying, redesigning, providing or replacing tools, equipment, workstations, packaging, parts, processes, products, or materials

2. Administrative 2. Administrative Improvements Improvements

Observe how different workers perform the same tasks to get ideas for improving work practices or organizing the work.

Alternate heavy tasks with light tasks.

Provide variety in jobs to eliminate or reduce repetition (i.e., overuse of the same muscle groups).

Adjust work schedules, work pace, or work practices.

Provide recovery time (e.g., short rest breaks).

Modify work practices so that workers perform work within their power zone (i.e., above the knees, below the shoulders, and close to the body).

Rotate workers through jobs that use different muscles, body parts, or postures.

Administrative improvements, such as job rotation, can help reduce workers’ exposures to risk factors by limiting the amount of time workers spend on “problem jobs.”

However, these measures may still expose workers to risk factors that can lead to injuries. For these reasons, the most effective way to eliminate “problem jobs” is to change them.

This can be done by putting into place the appropriate engineering improvements and modifying work practices accordingly.

Training Training Provide hands-on practice when new tools,

equipment, or procedures are introduced to the workforce.

Use several types of visual aids (e.g., pictures, charts, videos) of actual tasks in your workplace.

Hold small-group discussions and problem-solving sessions.

Give workers ample opportunity for questions.

ReferencesReferenceshttp://www2.worksafebc.com/

topics/ergonomics/faq.asp?reportid=33233

http://www.preventex.qc.ca/documentation/en/Vol21_1A.pdf

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-131/pdfs/2007-131.pdf

Thank You…