Unit GC 2 – Controlling workplace hazards Element 3: Musculoskeletal hazards and risk control Flashcards
(33 cards)
What is meant by the term ‘ergonomics’?
The study of the relationship between workers and their environment, work equipment and work task.
Common ill-health effects of working in poor ergonomically designed workplaces
- Numbness in fingers
- Pains in hands or arms
- Restriction of joint movement
- Soft tissue swelling
Task related factors that could increase the likelihood of ill-health
- Repetitive finger, hand or arm movements
- Twisting movement
- Squeezing
- Hammering
- Pushing, pulling or reaching movements
Outline 6 ergonomic factors to be considered when carrying out a task related risk assessment
- Repetitions
- Force needed
- Posture and need for stooping and twisting
- Personal factors (body dimensions, age, experience etc)
- Environmental conditions (Lighting, heating, ventilation)
- The position of controls and displays on machines and equipment
Factors to consider when carrying out a display screen equipment assessment
- Adequate lighting
- Minimum noise
- Ample legroom
- Suitable screen at eye level
- Suitable software
- Keyboard
- Work surface
- Suitable work chair
- Footrest if necessary
Common injuries that may be caused by manual handling.
- Back injuries including disc damage
- Cuts and bruises
- Abrasions
- Crush injuries
- Strains and sprains
- Muscle pulls and tears
- Hernias
Identify the 4 factors to consider when carrying out a manual handling assessment and highlight 4 issues under each factor.
L
Load (weight, size, shape)
I
Individual (capabilities, susceptibility)
T
Task (distance, frequency, duration, position)
E
Environment (lighting, floor condition, space)
Lifting technique to reduce the risk of injury from manual handling.
- Assess the load to be lifted (weight, centre of gravity, handholds etc.)
- Get as close to the load as possible
- Ensure a secure grip on the load
- Adopt a suitable position with feet apart, back kept naturally straight and knees bent.
- Keep the load close to the body and lift using a smooth movement
- Lower the load and then push/slide into final position.
Identify the common causes of the following:
Collapse/ Overturning
Overloading, not considering centre of gravity, operating in high winds, using mobile equipment on uneven ground, driving across a gradient, driving too quickly around a corner
Loss of load
Poor attachment, not securing load properly, damaged lifting accessories, lifting in high winds, load stacked too high
Collision
Inattention by driver, poor traffic management, poor visibility due to high loads, poor segregation / separation, driving too fast.
Specific hazards arising from the use of battery powered fork lift trucks.
- Contact with electrolyte (acid and distilled water)
- Production of hydrogen gas (highly flammable)
- Possibility of electric arcing
- Manual handling issue with very heavy batteries
Outline 8 factors to consider when planning a lifting operation.
- Nature of load to be lifted
- Distance / location of lift and suitability of lifting equipment for the task
- Strength of lifting equipment
- Ground conditions
- Environmental conditions
- Competency of driver / operator
- Need for banksman / supervision
- Method of securing the load / attachments / accessories
Requirements for the examination of lifting equipment.
- All lifting equipment is to be thoroughly examined every 12 months
- If the lifting equipment is designed to carry personnel then the frequency is every 6 months.
- All lifting accessories (lifting tackle) must be thoroughly examined every 6 months.
Identify precautions that should be taken when leaving a forklift truck unattended.
- Leaving the truck on a firm level surface in a designated area with the mast tilted slightly forward and the forks resting on the floor
- Parking it away from other vehicles and in a position that does not obstruct emergency exits, walkways and fire points
- Switching the power off
- Leaving the controls in neutral and applying the brake
- Removing the key and returning it to a responsible person to prevent unauthorised use.
Identify four work activities that may cause a worker to suffer from a work-related upper limb disorder (WRULD)
- Nature of load to be lifted
- Distance / location of lift and suitability of lifting equipment for the task
- Strength of lifting equipment
- Good conditions
- Environmental conditions
- Competency of driver / operator
- Need for banksman / supervision
- Method of securing the load / attachments / accessories
Identify four work activities that may cause a worker to suffer from a work-related upper limb disorder (WRULD)
- keyboard operation such as data inputting
- assembly of small components such as for circuit board production
- bricklaying and similar repetitive construction tasks
- checkout operators
Identify four types of mechanical aid that could be used to prevent injury from the manual handling of loads
- Forklift Trucks
- Lifts and Hoists
- Conveyors (belt, screw and roller)
- Cranes (Mobile and Tower)
Outline eight types of hazard relating to the use of forklift trucks
- Overturning
- Overloading
- Driving with raised load
- Cornering too fast
- Collisions with racking etc
- Loss of load
- Mechanical failure
- Lack of driver training
Outline the main ill health conditions that could result from the prolonged use of display screen equipment
The main ill health effects are WRULDS affecting the back, neck and shoulders, eye problems, fatigue and stress.
Identify the requirements for the inspection and examination of lifting equipment under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations
- strong and stable enough for the particular use and marked to indicate safe working loads
- positioned and installed to minimise any risks
- used safely, i.e. the work is planned, organised and performed by competent people
- subject to ongoing through examination and, where appropriate, inspection by competent people.
Eye problems are often due to:
- staying in the same position and concentrating for too long (muscles become tense and fixed);
- poor positioning of screen and display documents (not a correct focal distance for eyes)
- poor lighting: -
+ glare
+ reflection
+ too dim / too bright
+ bright sources next to the screen - drifting, flickering and jittering images
WRULDS are often due to:
- prolonged postures
- unsuitable height of desk
- unsuitable chair without support and adjustment facility
- poor postures
- tense muscles due to stress
- poorly organised workstation and equipment
The assessment must consider the following factors:
- the workstations and working environment
- the user
- daily work routines
Work equipment and the immediate work environment should be provided using the following guidance:
- display screens should be parallel to windows
- display screens should be between, rather than under lighting
- diffusers fitted to lights
- avoid ‘bright sources’ next to screen
- workstations should be located away from significant noise sources
- where necessary blinds / curtains should be used at windows to reduce reflection and glare
- good housekeeping - no items under desks
- work-surface large enough for all task undertaken
- document holders and footrests should be made available to employees where necessary
- adequate storage to prevent the storage of items under desk
- desks should have non reflective surfaces and be well organised
- chairs should be adjustable in height and support, and movable
- screens should be the correct distance from the user.
The elements of a correct DSE posture are as follows:
- straight back fully supported by the chair back
- elbows, hips and knees roughly at right angle
- hand and wrists in line with each other
- eyes looking down slightly to the centre of the screen
- screen directly in front - body not twisted
- screen approximately 500 mm from eyes
- document holder (if required) at same height and level with the screen
- thighs fully supported by the chair - not pointing upwards or hanging down
- feet flat on the floor or on a foot-rest if they do not reach the floor
