Ergonomic Considerations
- May 23rd, 2011
South African organisations need to realise that ergonomics is not another marketing tool, but a value added activity. Ergonomics will not solve all problems at work, but will establish intervention programmes to implement and support any technological or system changes.
Defining Ergonomics:
Various definitions or explanations of this term exists. The most common of these include:
- The relationship between the employee, the task and the working environment
- Human factor science or engineering
- Man, machine and task – the effective safe, healthy and environmental friendly interaction between the three
Ergonomic considerations and requirements can find a place across all functions of any organisation.
When manually handling items in the workplace, employees should ask the following six questions in order to assess the risks related to their answers.
- Must the load be moved?
If the load does not need to be moved – do not do it. - Must the load be lifted?
Rather assess whether the load can be slid, pushed, rolled, poured or moved in any other manner, before resorting to lifting. - Can the load be moved mechanically?
Do not manually handle a load that can be moved mechanically. Cranes, fork lifts and winches can rather be used. - Can the load be reduced?
If lifting is necessary, the load must be easy to manage, reducing risks and difficulties. - Is it better for more than one person to lift the load?
If team lifting must be utilised, each individual must follow the same safe lifting procedures. - Is the load too heavy for a team to lift it safely?
If the load is too heavy, it should not be lifted. Another safe solution for lifting the object can usually be found.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) gives the following guidelines for employees who do occasional manual lifting in terms of relating the weight of individuals, to the amount of kilograms that they can lift (maximum):
| Age (years) |
Men |
Women |
|
18-20 |
23 kg |
14 kg |
|
20-35 |
25kg |
15kg |
|
35-50 |
21kg |
13kg |
|
50+ |
16kg |
10kg |
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good piece enjoyed it keep it up