Why is manual material handling so important from a public health/cost perspective?
Mothafuckin 4-5% of global GDP is lost to ill health, 40% bc of musculoskeletal disorders
Provide 4 reasons why even when lifting equipment is available, workers do not use them.
- Not practical to use
- Out of order
- Didnt think necessary
- Takes too long
What is the human spine consists of? Where does most of the injuries occur? What is disc herneation?
Consists of flexible column of 34 vertebrae, with disks between each.
Bottom disk is site of most injuries
Disk herneation is the rupturing of a disk, its fluid is squeezed out and disrupts surrounding nerves/tissues
In addition to lifting with straight back and bent knee, provide 4 other good lifting techniques. Give a sentence to describe each of these.
- Carry with straight arms
- Keep arms straight while lifting
- Place feet at shoulder width apart
- Tuck chin in (helps to maintain posture
What are the 3 criteria considered in NIOSH equation? Give a sentence to describe each of these.
Categories:
Biomechanical- Based on calculating load in lower disk. Limit force
Physiological- Evaluates metabolic stress/ muscle fatigue. Most important for frequent lifting.
Psychophysical- Takes into consideration the acceptability of lifts to workers
According to EC Council Directive Table 10.7, what are the 5 characteristics of a load that should be avoided?
- Too heavy or large
- Unwieldy or difficult to grasp
- Unstable or contents shifting
- Positioned in manner requiring it to be held or manipulated at distance from trunk, or with trunk bending/twisting
- Likely that contents/consistency will cause injury in event of collision
According to EC Council Directive Table 10.7, what are the 4 physical efforts required that should be avoided?
Physical efforts may present risk if:
- Too strenuous
- Only achieved by a trunk twist
- Likely to result in sudden movement of load
- Made with the body in an unstable posture
According to EC Council Directive Table 10.7, what are the 5 characteristics of a working environment that should be avoided?
- Not enough room to carry out activity
- The floor is uneven, thus presenting tripping hazards, or slippery
- The place of the work or work environment prevents the handling of load at a safe height or with good posture
- Variation in floor level requiring load to be manipulated at different levels
- The floor or foot rest is unstable
According to EC Council Directive Table 10.7, what are the 4 requirements of the activity that should be avoided?
Over-frequent or prolonged physical effort (esp. involving spine)
- Insufficient rest period
- Excessive lifting, lowering, or carrying
- Rate of work imposed by process and cannot be changed
