Chap 3

• Main sources of risk in manual tasks:

  • Work area design and layout
  • Nature, size, weight, or number of things handled
  • Systems of work
  • Environment in which the manual task is performed
• Work area design and layout can impose awkward postures on workers, leading to risks like bent and twisted positions with raised shoulders
• Loads can be a source of risk due to the amount of muscular effort needed to handle them
• Risk factors related to loads:

  • Size, shape, and weight of load
  • Difficulty in gripping loads
  • Unstable or unwieldy loads
  • Handling people or animals with unpredictable movements
• Tools that are unsuitable for the task can increase the force required or promote sustained or awkward postures
• Risk factors related to tools:

  • Weight of tools
  • Balance of tools
  • Handle design
  • Handle orientation
  • Shock loading and impact
  • Prolonged use of tools
  • Maintenance of tools
• Systems of work can influence the physical and mental demands of a manual task
• Risk factors related to systems of work:

  • Time constraints
  • Pace and flow of work
  • Ability for workers to influence workload or work methods
  • Level of resources and guidance
  • Consultation processes
  • Work roles and performance requirements
  • Staffing levels, skill mix, and shift arrangements
• Workplace environment can also pose risks, including cold environments, high temperatures, humid environments, wind, slippery and uneven floor surfaces, obstructions, and lighting levels
• Arm movements using the shoulder should be performed at between hip and shoulder height
• Tasks requiring considerable muscular effort or use of the body for leverage should be performed at hip height and no higher
• Items used in manual tasks should be:

  • In front of the worker
  • Between waist and shoulder height
  • Close to the midline of workers and oriented towards the worker
  • On the worker’s preferred side
  • Positioned within comfortable reaching distance
  • Positioned to avoid double handling and moving loads manually over long distances
• Displays and controls should be positioned to encourage comfortable head and neck postures, comfortable hand and arm reach, and efficient use
• Seated tasks should have seating with:

  • Adjustable seat height and angle
  • Contoured backrest with a lumbar curve
  • Swivel action
  • Rounded seat edges
  • A footrest or foot ring on drafting or higher chairs
• A seated work position is best for:

  • Work that requires fine manipulation, accurate control, or placement of small objects
  • Close visual work that requires prolonged attention
  • Work that involves operating a foot pedal
• Workers carrying out standing tasks should be provided with:

  • A chair, stool, or support to alternate between sitting and standing
  • A footrest to allow standing with either foot raised
  • Suitable floor covering to cushion hard floors
• A standing work position is best when:

  • Handling large, heavy, or bulky loads
  • Forceful movements are required
  • Reaching is required
  • Movements away from the working position are frequent
  • There is limited space
• Work areas should have enough space to accommodate workers, equipment, and operate safely
• Examples of control measures for handling loads include:

  • Purchasing products in smaller loads for manual handling
  • Using handheld hooks or suction pads to move loads
  • Using grip devices adapted to the particular object
• Hand tools should be designed to:

  • Be held in a neutral wrist or handshake position
  • Allow a comfortable grip span
  • Be well-balanced
  • Be suitable for use by either hand
  • Minimize muscular effort, particularly of the shoulder and wrist
• Mechanical equipment may eliminate or reduce the need for manual lifting, carrying, or supporting items, animals, or people
• Mechanical aids should be:

  • Designed to suit the load and work being done
  • Light as their function allows
  • Adjustable to accommodate a range of users
  • Easy to use
  • Located close to the work area
  • Supported by a maintenance program
  • Introduced with suitable instruction and training
• Pushing loads is preferable to pulling to reduce lower back muscle work

  • Reduce effort to start, keep, and stop loads in motion
  • Use motorized equipment, slide sheets, and well-maintained trolleys
• Handling people:

  • No worker should fully lift a person unaided
  • Controls should consider the health and safety of both the person being handled and the worker/s
  • Controls may include mobility risk assessment, using mechanical aids, and providing training
• Handling animals:

  • Use mechanical devices or restraining aids
  • Assess the needs of the task and plan to avoid double-handling
  • Provide adequate resources for tasks requiring two or more people
• Workload and pace should accommodate the physical demands of the manual task

  • Minimize multiple handling and improve work flow by organizing tasks efficiently
• Key strategies for reducing physical strain in the workplace include:
• Processing and packaging items in the same location or on the same workbench
• Locating storage areas close to distribution areas
• Changing the distribution of work across the workday or week to avoid high peak workloads
• Using systems that minimize the need for storage and additional handling
• Establishing realistic work rates by:
• Allowing workers to control the pace for critical or physically demanding tasks
• Providing adjustability in the line speed, such as reducing speed when conditions change
• Providing buffers for material to be taken off-line, like 'holding' bins or benches off the main processing conveyor
• Designing tasks for the working population by considering:
• The range of human dimensions and capabilities such as height, reach, and weight
• Adapting work systems to accommodate the health/fitness status of a worker or allocating them to other tasks if necessary
• Considering factors like physical maturity, decreased physical capacity in older workers, gradual adjustment during recovery from injury or illness, and the impact of pregnancy on physical tasks
• Implementing administrative control measures, including: