Health and Safety to Minimise Musculoskeletal Disorder Risk

Health and Safety to Minimise Musculoskeletal Disorder RiskRECOMMENDATIONSIntroductionThis chapter is concern with recommendations which bathroom be put forward in order to eliminate or minimize put on the line of musculoskeletal disorders arising from ergonomic and other hazards. The hierarchy of controls will be considered for set forward the recommendations.Hierarchy of hazard controlThe hierarchy of hazard control is a system which provides various hazard control methods, ranging from the most in effect(p) to the least(prenominal) efficient methods. The hierarchy of hazard control is as followsEliminationElimination is the best way to control a hazard as the danger associated with it is entirely removed from the workplace but in most cases it is not possible.SubstitutionThe second most effective way of domineering hazards is by substitution which diminishes the hazards associated with a task, activity or process to some extent and new hazards can be introduced but it wi ll have a less harmful effect on the workers.Engineering controlsEngineering controls involves the use of physical barriers to prevent interaction between the workers and the hazards by redesigning of the process, job or activity.Administrative controlsAdministrative controls be concerned with changes in the policies and procedures of the organization. These includeJob rotationRedesigning of task, activity or processImplementation of safe operating proceduresTraining, instruction and information.Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)The least effective way of controlling hazards is by the use of PPE. Here the workers are provided with PPEs such as earmuffs, visors, respiratory mask to prevent exposure to the hazard. It is considered the least effective asThe hazard is still presentIf the worker has worn it improperly, he/she is exposed to the hazardThey can create hazards sometimes as they interfere with movement.Recommendations for the fourdepartmentsRecommendations to the problems determine in the four departments in the factory that is abbreviatedting, assembly and finishing will be provided. The recommendations for these four departments will not be the same but on that point are some recommendations which are applicable to all of them, which are as followsJob rotationJob rotation falls in the administrative methods for controlling hazards. Job rotation involves rotating the employees from different jobs, in particular those who uses the same group of muscle repeatedly and in which the workers adopt poor postures.Micro breaksMicro breaks, as their note suggests are polished breaks which can range from 30 seconds to ii minutes which the worker can take after working continuously for 30 minutes while either standing or sitting. These breaks are important as it enables the musculoskeletal system of the worker to rest, thereby reducing the risk of developing MSDs, especially if the tasks involves repetitive movements, awkward postures and goes on for lon g period of time.Training in true handling and conveying techniquesGood handling and lifting techniques are essential as it reduces the risk of developing MSDS. This is achieved when the worker adopts the techniques. Training is essential and it should includeWhat are the risk factors and how to recognize them,How to safely lift and handle the shipments.Good lifting techniquesBefore liftingThe lift should be plan. It should be seen if the path for the lifting operation is clear and if not, the worker should remove the obstructions.Adopting a stable postureIt is essential to maintain balance and the feet of the worker should be unconnected with one of his/her leg a bit forward.Getting a life-threatening holdThe load should be as shut up as possible to the luggage compartment whenever it is feasible.Starting in a good postureThe worker should bend slightly at the start of the lift.Avoid flexing the bear out more when liftingThe worker should not straighten his/her legs before raising the load.Keeping the load close to the waistThe load should be kept as long as possible close to the body.Avoiding twisting of the back and leaning sidewaysThe shoulders should face the same direction of the hips and they should be at the same level.Keeping the head upAfter the load has been secured, the worker should look ahead and not down.Smooth movementIn order to keep control and minimize risk of injury, jerking and snatching of the load should be avoided.Avoid lifting loads that are too heavyWorkers should always safely lift the loads within their capacity and help from a coworker can be used to safely lift a heavy load.Adjusting the load after it has been put downIt is important to put the load down first consequently move it in the correct position.Medical surveillanceMedical surveillance should be carried out as it allows for the early detections of conditions which can have adverse cause on the health of the workers.VentilationCutting departmentRecommendations fo r the problems which have been identified in the cutting department concerning the equipment or task, activities or processes are as follows consignment the spreading machineHere training in good lifting and manual handling techniques are necessary as it will teach the workers how to properly lift the fabrics onto the floor level to place it onto the spreading machine to avoid risk of injuries. The other solutions could beReduce the weight of the fabric being lifted and, shit a minimum of two people to lift the fabrics.Spreading the fabricSpreading of the fabric should be done by at least two workers, who are facing each other at the opposite end of the tables. This minimizes adoption of awkward postures and long reaches. Also workers should be encouraged to take micro breaks.Cutting the fabricThe spreading table should be set at a good working height so as to improve back and shoulder posture which will result in the worker adopting a better posture.Replace the handle of the electr ic cutter or the cutter itself if possible, with an adaptable handle so as to improve wrist posture.The fabric should not be cut from only 1 side of the table it should be cut from both sides of the table so as to avoid long reaches.Micro breaks should be taken.Sorting the cut piecesAvoid overfilling of the baskets.Use of smaller baskets to facilitate lifting and handling. restrain two persons to carry the baskets if they are heavyTraining in good lifting techniques.Assembly departmentRecommendations for the problems which have been identified in the assembly department concerning the equipment or task, activities or processes are as followsSupply and removal of clothesSmaller boxes should be lay at an adequate height to allow easy grips.The tables on which the materials are placed should be of the same height of the sewing table.The tables should be large enough to contain the clothes and they should be stable.Sewing table apexThe sewing table should be adaptable so that the wor kers can adjust the height at their elbow level, which is the most adequate.Size and shapeThe larger tables can be tailored to make them smaller in order to allow delivery and supply of materials easier. Also for small tables, an addition can be placed on it so as to augment its size. Raised edges can also be placed on the table to prevent materials from falling.AngleTilting the table by 100 t0 250 towards the operator can improve visibility and prevents the worker to adopt poor neck posture.ChairAs it was represent out during the study, the chairs are not good enough. Chairs with the following features should be boughtAdjustability The set height should be adjustableSeat height this should be easily adjustable and it should be able to be adjusted to the height of the operator who will be using it.Seat width and depth it should be wide and mysterious enough so that the users are comfortable and the seat should suit the shortest and tallest usersSeat material There should be e nough padding of the material on the seat and back of the chair so that it is comfortable for the user to sit for long period of times.Backrest It should support the back and lower back and it should be adjustable in angle and height. section rest it should be of adequate size such that it is large enough to support the lower arms but small enough so that they do not interfere with the position of the chair.Foot pedalsThe foot pedals should be modified so that they are at the same angle and position to allow good posture.Hand toolsHand tools such as scissors of different and adequate size should be provided.Work organizationThe sewing machine operators could be disposed(p) the freedom to go and pick up the pieces of materials that they need to work on.Pressing departmentRecommendations for the problems which have been identified in the pressing department concerning the equipment or task, activities or processes are as followsWorking heightThe working height should be adjustable a s an appropriate height enables the worker to work with his/ her back in an upright position and their shoulders relaxed.Floor surfaceAnti-fatigue mats should be placed everywhere in the pressing department area.Foot pedalsThe foot pedals should be close or even with the floor.Finishing departmentRecommendations for the problems which have been identified in the finishing department concerning the equipment or task, activities or processes are as followsChairAs it was found out during the study, the chairs are not good enough. Chairs with the following features should be boughtAdjustability The seat height should be adjustableSeat height this should be easily adjustable and it should be able to be adjusted to the height of the operator who will be using it.Seat width and depth it should be wide and deep enough so that the users are comfortable and the seat should suit the shortest and tallest usersSeat material There should be enough padding of the material on the seat and back of the chair so that it is comfortable for the user to sit for long period of times.Backrest It should support the back and lower back and it should be adjustable in angle and height.Arm rest it should be of adequate size such that it is large enough to support the lower arms but small enough so that they do not interfere with the position of the chair.AccessoriesFoot rests that are adjustable should be provided to the workersInput and outputTraining for workers in good lifting techniques to avoid risk of injury.