Você deverá escolher quatro (4) estudos de
caso, dentre os treze (13) propostos a seguir:
Ao lado de cada título há a possibilidade de
Download do arquivo em formato Word.
Case Study 1: Canister Washing [Download]
Case
Study 2: Metal Tube Cutting [Download]
Case
Study 3: Palletizing Boxes [Download]
Case
Study 4: Warehouse Carrying [Download]
Case
Study 5: Install Windshield Molding - Secure Grill [Download]
Case Study 6: Install Windshield Molding [Download]
Case
Study 7: Install Backglass From Outside - Install Glass [Download]
Case
Study 8: Install Backglass From Outside - Install Cargo Light [Download]
Case
Study 9: Install Headlamps [Download]
Case Study 10: Brake Assembly - Install Drums On Compact/Midsize
Cars [Download]
Case Study 11: Carrier Assembly - Load Station [Download]
Case Study 12: Drill Spindle [Download]
Case Study 13: Door Assembly Operation [Download]
Para cada estudo de caso escolhido, você
deverá realizar uma tradução do texto e inserir algumas considerações ergonômicas
adicionais, a partir dos conhecimentos mininstrados na disciplina, sobre as modificações
propostas.
Source: Oregon Department of
Insurance and Finance, Workers' Compensation Division. Worksite Modification Digest.
Salem, Oregon: Oregon Department of Insurance and Finance, 1991.
Job description prior to abatement:
Move canisters: The worker pulls or
pushes the pallet of canisters to the washer.
Load washer: The worker lifts the
used canisters from slightly above floor level and twists to place them in the washer
located at waist height.
Unload washer: After the canisters
are washed, the worker lifts the canisters from the washer located at waist level, twists,
and lowers the canister to the slightly above floor level pallet located on the roller
conveyor.
Method which identified task as
hazardous:
Medical records. A 56 year-old male
suffered a disabling back injury.
Verification Of Problem:
Information not available.
Ergonomic risk factors:
Posture
Bending at the waist is required to push
the pallets along the conveyor.
Bending/twisting is required to move the
canister from the pallet located at floor level to a washer located at waist level.
Bending/twisting is required to move the
clean canister from the washer back to the pallet and stresses the low back.
Force
Pushing the pallet of canisters over an
extended distance is required.
Lifting the canisters is required to move
them from the pallet located at floor level to the washer located at waist level.
Lowering the canisters is required to move
them from the washer to the pallet.
Ergonomic solutions:
Administrative controls
1. Information not available.
Engineering controls
A raised, powered, conveyor belt was
installed from the canister storage location to the washer. The height of the conveyor
belt was such that the employee could grasp the canisters without bending at the waist.
Verification that ergonomic solution was
effective:
The employee could perform the job
responsibilities despite his low back permanent impairment.
Benefits of ergonomic solution:
An employee with a permanent impairment
could continue working in the same job, thus avoiding business costs of retraining the
injuried employee and the replacement employee.
Cost of ergonomic solution:
Information not available.
Comments:
Conveyor was installed so that the worker
had enough room to grasp the canister and turn 180 degrees to place it into the washer.
This avoids twisting at the waist.
- Copyright © 1994-96, by ErgoWeb, Inc. and
the University of Utah Research Foundation. All rights reserved.
Source: Oregon Department of Insurance and Finance,
Workers' Compensation Division. Worksite Modification Digest. Salem, Oregon: Oregon
Department of Insurance and Finance, 1991.
Job description prior to abatement: Get tubes:
The worker lifts metal tubes that are 24 feet long and weigh 50 to 100 pounds. The worker
carries them to the saw table conveyor rolls.
Method which identified task as hazardous:
Medical records. A 40 year-old male sustained bilateral
carpal tunnel syndrome which produced a permanent disability of 10 pound lifting/carrying
limitation.
Method which verified task as hazardous:
Information not available.
Ergonomic risk factors:
Posture
Bending at the waist is required to pick up the heavy metal
tubes.
Force
Lifting the weight of the metal tubes requires a high
magnitude of low back muscle force.
The long/narrow shape of the metal tubes makes it difficult
to handle the load in a stable manner.
Carrying
The metal tubes are carried an extended distance between
the tube storage area and the saw tables.
Ergonomic solutions:
Administrative controls
1. Information not available.
Engineering controls
1.
An overhead electric chain hoist was installed to a trolley
beam. The tubing was lifted with hooks at the ends of the chain attached to the ends of
the tube.
Verification that ergonomic solution was effective:
The employee could perform the job responsibilities despite
his lifting limitations and permanent wrist impairment.
Benefits of ergonomic solution:
An employee with a permanent impairment could continue
working in the same job, thus avoiding business costs of retraining the injuried employee
and replacement employee.
Cost of ergonomic solution:
Information not available.
Comments:
Easy attachment of hooks to the ends of the tube is
important.
- Copyright © 1994-96, by ErgoWeb, Inc. and
the University of Utah Research Foundation. All rights reserved.
Source: Oregon Department of Insurance and Finance,
Workers' Compensation Division. Worksite Modification Digest. Salem, Oregon: Oregon
Department of Insurance and Finance, 1991.
Job description prior to abatement: Pick-up
carton: The worker picks up a carton from a 27 inch high conveyor system.
Stack carton: The worker turns and stacks the carton on
a pallet located at floor level.
Method which identified task as hazardous:
Medical records. A 44 year-old warehouseman sustained a low
- back injury which induced a permanent disability with work restrictions of no repetitive
bending.
Method which verified task as hazardous:
Information not available.
Ergonomic risk factors:
Posture
Bending at the waist is required to place the carton on the
pallet.
Bending/reaching is required when the worker places the
carton at the far end of the pallet causing stresses to the shoulder and the low back.
Force
Lifting and lowering is required to pick-up and stack the
cartons.
Ergonomic solutions:
Administrative controls
1. Information not available.
Engineering controls
1. A manual pallet unitizer was placed under the pallet.
This device automatically adjusts and keeps the pallet height at the optimum level for the
worker. This device also rotates 360 degrees which reduces walking and reaching.
Verification that ergonomic solution was effective:
The employee could perform the job responsibilities without
worsening his low back condition.
Benefits of ergonomic solution:
An employee with a permanent work restriction due to an
injury from this task could continue working in the same job. The employer avoided
business costs of retraining the injuried employee and developing a replacement employee.
Cost of ergonomic solution:
$1,500
Comments:
Pallet unitizer may be powered or manual depending on
frequency of use.
- Copyright © 1994-96, by ErgoWeb, Inc. and
the University of Utah Research Foundation. All rights reserved.
Source: Donald S. Bloswick, P.E.,Ph.D.
Industrial Ergonomics Incorporated
160 "R" Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84105
Job description prior to abatement:
Pick-up load: The worker bends at the waist to pick up a heavy load from a pallet
located on the floor.
Carry load: The worker carries the
load approximately 15 feet and places it on a conveyor.
Repeat activity: Employee walks back
to the pallet and repeats the lifting/carrying task.
Method which identified task as
hazardous:
Information not available.
Verification Of Problem:
Information not available.
Ergonomic risk factors:
Force:
Lifting is required to move the load from
the floor level pallet to the waist level workstation.
Carrying is required to move the load from
the pallet to the workstation.
The shape of the load makes it difficult to
grasp in a stable manner.
Posture:
Bending at the waist is required to pick-up
the load.
Bending/reaching is required to pick-up the
load when the item is at a distance from the worker's body at the start of the lift.
Ergonomic solutions:
Administrative controls
1. Information not available.
Engineering controls
1. An electric hoist was installed which
lifted and carried the load from the pallet to the conveyor.
Verification that ergonomic solution was
effective:
Information not available.
Benefits of ergonomic solution:
Information not available.
Cost of ergonomic solution:
Information not available.
Comments:
Further improvement could be made by
placing the pallet higher and closer to the conveyor destination.
- Copyright © 1994-96, by ErgoWeb, Inc. and
the University of Utah Research Foundation. All rights reserved.
Case Study 5: Install
Windshield Molding - Secure Grill
Source: Armstrong, Thomas J.; Fine,
Lawrence J.; Joseph, Bradley; and Silverstein, Barbara. Analysis of Selected Jobs for
Control of Cumulative Trauma Disorders in Automobile Plants. Ann Arbor, Michigan: The
University of Michigan, 1984.
Job description prior to abatement: Note:
This is a fictitious job but reflective of common work situations on an auto assembly
line.
Worker position: Two workers are on
each side of the car assembly line wearing heavy gloves.
Get equipment: Each worker gets two
screws and a powered screw driver from the stock area at the side of the line.
Secure grill: The two screws are
driven into the top horizontal edge of the firewall to secure the grill in front of the
windshield.
Get windshield molding: While one
worker is putting a clip on the battery mount, the other operator gets a rubber windshield
molding and places it on a rack.
Method which identified task as
hazardous:
Information not available.
Verification Of Problem:
Information not available.
Identification Of Risk Factors:
Posture
Extreme wrist flexion is necessary to use
the pistol shaped tool.
Force
The airline tends to twist the tool from
hand when driving screws, causing impulse force to the hand/wrist..
Ergonomic solutions:
Administrative controls
1. Information not available.
Engineering controls 
1.Use an in-line tool suspended from an
overhead trolley. This will reduce wrist flexion. The suspension should have articulating
linkage that will resist torque and impulse forces at the wrist.
Verification that ergonomic solution was
effective:
Information not available.
Benefits of ergonomic solution:
Information not available.
Cost of ergonomic solution:
Information not available.
Comments:
None.
- Copyright © 1994-96, by ErgoWeb, Inc. and the University of
Utah Research Foundation. All rights reserved.
Case Study 6: Install
Windshield Molding -
Apply Sealant And Install Molding
Source: Armstrong, Thomas J.; Fine,
Lawrence J.; Joseph, Bradley; and Silverstein, Barbara. Analysis of Selected Jobs for
Control of Cumulative Trauma Disorders in Automobile Plants. Ann Arbor, Michigan: The
University of Michigan, 1984.
Job description prior to abatement: Note:
This is a fictitious job but reflective of common work situations on an auto assembly
line.
Worker position: Two workers are on
each side of the assembly line wearing heavy gloves.
Apply sealant: The workers reach
overhead for sealant guns. Sealant is applied in a continuous motion starting at the top
center of the windshield frame, traveling outward along the frame and ending at the bottom
center. The sealant guns are released by the workers and pulled upward by retractors for
storage.
Install Molding: Molding is taken from
a rack by one worker and passed over the hood to the other worker. The molding is secured
at the top sides of the window and seated in the frame through a series of gripping,
pushing, and rocking hand motions.
Method which identified task as
hazardous:
Information not available.
Verification Of Problem:
Information not available.
Identification Of Risk Factors:
Posture
Extreme internal rotation of the arm and
pronation of the forearm is required to apply the sealant properly along the frame with
the sealant gun.
Extreme reach is required to install
molding along top-center of the windshield.
Force
Finger pinching and wrist twisting are
required to apply the molding.
The use of poor fitting gloves requires
greater hand strength to manipulate the molding.
Ergonomic solutions:
Administrative controls
1. Information not available.
Engineering controls
1. Change the sealant gun nozzle so that
the gun can be rotated as the sealant is applied. This reduces the extreme postural
positions required of the upper extremity.
2. Apply the sealant in three motions: top
to side, top to bottom, and bottom to side. This allows the wrist and forearm to be
straightened between moves.
3. Maintain close tolerances on molding
dimensions. An over or undersized molding requires more physical effort to install.
4. Use cement to hold windshield in place
instead of the current rubber molding system.
5.
Maintain an inventory of numerous gloves in
various sizes and styles so that each worker can select the glove that feels the most
comfortable.
Verification that ergonomic solution was
effective:
Information not available.
Benefits of ergonomic solution:
Information not available.
Cost of ergonomic solution:
ErgoWeb Buyer's Guide.
Comments:
None.
- Copyright © 1994-96, by ErgoWeb, Inc. and
the University of Utah Research Foundation. All rights reserved.
Case Study 7: Install
Backglass From Outside - Install Glass
Source: Armstrong, Thomas J.; Fine,
Lawrence J.; Joseph, Bradley; and Silverstein, Barbara. Analysis of Selected Jobs for
Control of Cumulative Trauma Disorders in Automobile Plants. Ann Arbor, Michigan: The
University of Michigan, 1984.
Job description prior to abatement: Note:
This is a fictitious job but reflective of common work situations on an auto assembly
line.
Worker position: The worker walks to
the truck and takes a position facing forward at the rear of the cab. The feet are
supported on the longitudinal members of the dolly 46 inches apart and the low back is
supported on the truck box.
Install glass: The worker is given
the backglass from his coworker and positions it in place in the back of the truck. The
glass is pressed in place from the outside while the coworker on the inside of the cab
pulls out the molding string to seat the window. The worker assists in seating the window
by pounding on the glass and aligning the molding with a feathering stick.
Method which identified task as hazardous:
Information not available.
Verification Of Problem:
Information not available.
Identification Of Risk Factors:
Posture
Extreme forearm twist (supination) and
extreme wrist extension is required to grasp the glass.
Force
Pounding the glass with the hand is
required to align and seat the glass.
Mechanical Stress
Grasping the flat, thin handle of the
feathering stick is required to use the tool to seat the window.
Ergonomic solutions:
Administrative controls
1. Information not available.
Engineering controls
1. Use suction cups with D-ring handles to
handle backglass to improve forearm and wrist posture.
2. Provide a plastic handle for the
feathering stick with rounded corners to reduce mechanical stresses. The diameter should
be limited to 3/4 inch so that it can still be manipulated in the fingers.
3. Use palm pads to protect the hands while
pounding window into position.
4. Use cement to hold the window in place.
Verification that ergonomic solution was
effective:
Information not available.
Benefits of ergonomic solution:
Information not available.
Cost of ergonomic solution:
Information not available.
Comments:
None.
Potential vendors: ErgoWeb Buyer's Guide.
Copyright © 1994-96, by ErgoWeb, Inc.
and the University of Utah Research Foundation. All rights reserved.
Case Study 8: Install
Backglass From Outside - Install Cargo Light
Source: Armstrong, Thomas J.; Fine,
Lawrence J.; Joseph, Bradley; and Silverstein, Barbara. Analysis of Selected Jobs for
Control of Cumulative Trauma Disorders in Automobile Plants. Ann Arbor, Michigan: The
University of Michigan, 1984.
Job description prior to abatement: Note:
This is a fictitious job but reflective of common work situations on an auto assembly
line.
Worker position: The worker walks to
the truck and takes a position facing forward at the rear of the cab. The feet are
supported on the longitudinal members of the dolly 46 inches apart and the low back is
supported on the truck box.
Install Cargo Light: The worker uses
a push-rachet screwdriver to install screws in the cargo light above the window on some
models.
Method which identified task as hazardous:
Information not available.
Verification Of Problem:
Information not available.
Identification Of Risk Factors:
Posture
Extreme ulnar deviation of the wrist is
required to operate the push-rachet screwdriver.
Mechanical Stress
The narrow handle of the push-rachet
screwdriver causes concentrated pressure on hand tissues.
Ergonomic solutions:
Administrative controls
1. Information not available.
Engineering controls
1. Use a spherical handle on the end of the
screwdriver to spread the load over the largest possible area. The spherical ball design
will also reduce the ulnar deviation of the wrist.
Verification that ergonomic solution was
effective:
Information not available.
Benefits of ergonomic solution:
Information not available.
Cost of ergonomic solution:
Information not available.
Comments:
None.
Potential vendors:
- ErgoWeb Buyer's Guide.
- Copyright © 1994-96, by ErgoWeb, Inc. and
the University of Utah Research Foundation. All rights reserved.
Case Study 9: Install
Headlamps
Source: Armstrong, Thomas J.; Fine,
Lawrence J.; Joseph, Bradley; and Silverstein, Barbara. Analysis of Selected Jobs for
Control of Cumulative Trauma Disorders in Automobile Plants. Ann Arbor, Michigan: The
University of Michigan, 1984.
Job description prior to abatement: Note:
This is a fictitious job but reflective of common work situations on an auto assembly
line.
Worker position: The worker stands
adjacent to the auto assembly line.
Attach spring: The worker gets a
spring and airpowered screwdriver from the bench. Two set screws, obtained from the
worker's waist pouch, are used to attach the spring to the headlight assembly. They are
started with the fingers and set with the power screwdriver.
Position/secure headlamp: The worker
reads the light specs from a placard on the door and gets the proper headlamp assembly.
The bulb is plugged into the socket and the assembly positioned over the set screws. A
hook is used to attach and hold the headlamp assembly.
Method which identified task as hazardous:
Information not available.
Verification Of Problem:
Information not available.
Identification Of Risk Factors:
Posture
The body position of bending at the waist
to install set screws and springs stresses the low back.
Extreme flexion of the wrist required to
install the spring on the headlamp is stressful to wrist tissues.
Mechanical Stress
The thin handle of the wire hook produces
concentrated pressure on hand tissues.
Ergonomic solutions:
Administrative controls
1. Information not available.
Engineering controls
1. Locate the vehicle so that the
headlights can be installed without bending over. This can be achieved by installing the
headlights at a location where the line is elevated for work on the underside.
2. Provide a handle for the hook used to
install the spring on the headlights. The handle should have well rounded corners and be
bent thirty to sixty degrees to eliminate wrist deviation.
Verification that ergonomic solution was
effective:
Information not available.
Benefits of ergonomic solution:
Information not available.
Cost of ergonomic solution:
Information not available.
Comments:
None.
Potential vendors:
- ErgoWeb
Buyer's Guide.
- Copyright © 2000 ErgoWeb, Inc. All rights
reserved.
Case Study 10: Brake
Assembly - Install Drums On Compact/Midsize Cars
Source: Armstrong, Thomas J.; Fine,
Lawrence J.; Joseph, Bradley; and Silverstein, Barbara. Analysis of Selected Jobs for
Control of Cumulative Trauma Disorders in Automobile Plants. Ann Arbor, Michigan: The
University of Michigan, 1984.
Job description prior to abatement: Note:
This is a fictitious job but reflective of common work situations on an auto assembly
line.
Worker position: The worker stands
adjacent to the auto assembly line.
Position brake drum: The worker gets
the brake drum from the top rack of an overhead conveyor and positions the drum over the
axle lugs and seats onto the brake shoes.
 Secure drum: A tool is used to to insert a lock washer onto one of
the axle lugs which holds the drum onto the axle during shipping.
Method which identified task as hazardous:
Information not available.
Verification Of Problem:
Information not available.
Identification Of Risk Factors:
Posture
Reaching overhead is required to get the
drums from the top rack.
Extreme forearm twist (forearm pronation)
is required to get the drums from the left side of the rack.
Extreme wrist ulnar deviation is required
in order to use the tool for lock washer insertion.
Mechanical Stress
The narrow base of the tool produces
concentrated pressure on hand tissues.
Ergonomic solutions:
Administrative controls
1. Information not available.
Engineering controls
1. Lower the conveyor to deliver brake
drums at a height of 51 inches (just above the height of the axle on the assembly line) to
minimize reaching.
2. Rotate the racks so that the drums can
be grasped from the right side of the racks to lessen forearm twisting.
3. Bend the handle of the tool 60 to 75
degrees to reduce ulnar wrist deviation.
4. Lenghten the handle of the tool to at
least 6 inches and cover the handle with a compliant material to reduce mechanical stress
on the hand.
Verification that ergonomic solution was
effective:
Information not available.
Benefits of ergonomic solution:
Information not available.
Cost of ergonomic solution:
Information not available.
Comments:
None.
Potential vendors:
- ErgoWeb
Buyer's Guide
- Copyright © 2000 ErgoWeb, Inc. All rights
reserved.
Case Study 11:
Carrier Assembly - Load Station
Source: Armstrong, Thomas J.; Fine,
Lawrence J.; Joseph, Bradley; and Silverstein, Barbara. Analysis of Selected Jobs for
Control of Cumulative Trauma Disorders in Automobile Plants. Ann Arbor, Michigan: The
University of Michigan, 1984.
Job description prior to abatement: Note:
This is a fictitious job but reflective of common work situations on an auto assembly
line.
Worker position: The worker wears
gloves and stands facing the assembly line.
Position bearing: The worker gets a
bearing from a storage bin located in front of the operator. The bearing is positioned in
a fixture on the assembly line.
Position carrier casting: The worker
gets a 40 pound carrier casting from a bin behind the operator and positions it in the
fixture over the bearing.
Position second bearing: The worker
gets another bearing from the bin in front of the operator and positions it in the casting
on the fixture. The worker pushes two palm buttons to index the line.
 Secure drum: A tool is used to to insert a lock washer onto one of
the axle lugs which holds the drum onto the axle during shipping.
Method which identified task as hazardous:
Information not available.
Verification Of Problem:
Information not available.
Identification Of Risk Factors:
Posture
Reaching is required to lift the 40 pound
casting from the bin.
Elbow elevation (shoulder flexion), forearm
twist (forearm pronation), and wrist flexion is required to position the bearing inside
the casting and stresses wrist tissues.
Reaching over the palm buttons and the
storage box to assemble the parts on the assembly line is required.
Force
Using bulky gloves interferes with
positioning of the parts.
Ergonomic solutions:
Administrative controls
1. Information not available.
Engineering controls
1. Tilt bins towards the workers and put
the bins on a lift to reduce reaching for the carrier casting.
2. Stack carrier castings in a dunnage so
they can be easily reached and grasped.
3. Use a conveyor to deliver the carrier
castings one at a time to the assembly line to reduce reaching.
4. Elevate the workers with an adjustable
platform to lower the elbow and straighten the wrist.
5. Relocate the utility box and palm
buttons so that the worker can stand closer to the assembly line.
6. Provide a wide selection of glove types
and sizes so that workers can select preferred gloves.
Verification that ergonomic solution was
effective:
Information not available.
Benefits of ergonomic solution:
Information not available.
Cost of ergonomic solution:
Information not available.
Comments:
None.
Potential vendors:
- ErgoWeb
Buyer's Guide
- Copyright © 2000 ErgoWeb, Inc. All rights
reserved.
Case Study 12:
Drill Spindle
Source: Armstrong, Thomas J.; Fine,
Lawrence J.; Joseph, Bradley; and Silverstein, Barbara. Analysis of Selected Jobs for
Control of Cumulative Trauma Disorders in Automobile Plants. Ann Arbor, Michigan: The
University of Michigan, 1984.
Job description prior to abatement: Note:
This is a fictitious job but reflective of common work situations on an auto assembly
line.
Worker position: Worker is wearing
bulky gloves and standing adjacent to overhead conveyor and drill machine.
Get spindles: The worker reaches for
spindles being carried in a bin delivered by an overhead conveyor.
Drill spindles: The spindles are put
into a drill machine which is activated by two palm buttons located above shoulder height.
Return spindles: The spindles are
taken from the drill machine and placed in a bin attached to an overhead conveyor.
Method which identified task as hazardous:
Information not available.
Verification Of Problem:
Information not available.
Identification Of Risk Factors:
Posture
Reaching to get the spindles from the
overhead conveyor stresses shoulder tissues.
Reaching to operate the palm buttons on the
drill machine stresses shoulder tissues.
Force
Bulky gloves and cutting fluid interfere
with handling spindles.
Mechanical Stress
A sharp edge rubs against the left wrist
when reaching for palm buttons.
Ergonomic solutions:
Administrative controls
1. Information not available.
Engineering controls
1. Lower the overhead conveyors to reduce
reaching for and returning the spindles.
2. Relocate palm buttons to a lower
position such that reaching is minimized while still providing adequate protection.
3. Eliminate sharp edges adjacent to the
palm buttons.
4. Provide a wide selection of glove types
and sizes so that workers can select preferred gloves.
Verification that ergonomic solution was
effective:
Information not available.
Benefits of ergonomic solution:
Information not available.
Cost of ergonomic solution:
Information not available.
Comments:
None.
Potential vendors:
- ErgoWeb
Buyer's Guide
- Copyright © 2000 ErgoWeb, Inc. All rights
reserved.
Case Study 13: Door
Assembly Operation
Source: Thaler, J., March/April 1996,
The Sikorsky Success Story, Workplace Ergonomics.
- Description of Task/Workstation Prior to Abatement:
Sikorsky's helicopter assembly plant was
built long before ergonomics became part of design considerations. This old fashioned
design consideration introduced a number of Cumulative Trauma Disorders in plant during
the time. One of the most stressful task in the plant was assembling the aircraft door
which had caused a few number of back injury among employees. Workers had to hold the
doors in place with one hand while trimming or drilling with the other and carrying them
for several feet during assembly procedures. Extended reach and repetitive motion was
required to perform this task.
Drawing of the Task/Workstation Prior to the Ergonomic
Abatement:
Information not available.
Method Which Identified Task as Hazardous:
There was evidence of medical records that
showed the task is hazardous, including:
Injury, illness rates for this task were
highest in the company, leading with back injuries.
Accident Prevention Notification (APN) and
Safety Action Request (SAR) program disclosed the task to be ergonomically unacceptable
with high rates of back injury.
An employee was injured during manual
lifting of aircraft doors.
Method Which Verified Task as Hazardous:
- OSHA lost workday incident and severity
rates verified the task to be hazardous.
- Identification of Risk Factors:
- Posture
- Employees had to reach across a 5-foot table
repetitively to get the parts for assembly while working on the doors.
- Repetition
- Small parts were in boxes that required the
employees to repetitively lift them from the boxes for assembly. reach across a 5-foot
table.
- The doors needed to be manually shaken.
- Ergonomic Solution:
- Administrative Controls
- Training was provided.
- Three pilot process action were performed to
identify the root causes of injuries and recommending corrective action.
- Empowering workers as teams to identify
ergonomics related conditions in the plant.
- Engineering Controls
- A universal clamp was designed and installed to hold the
aircraft doors in any position.
- An auto shaker was used to eliminate the manual shake of the
doors.
- Grinding booth and oven were brought closer to the work
area.
- The tables were cut down to three feet to reduce the reach.
- Parts were removed from boxes and placed in a parts carousel
and kits.
- Adjustable work chairs were provided for workers.
- Transportation carts were provided for ease of movement.
- Drawing of Task/Workstation after Ergonomic Solution:
- Information not available.
- Verification that Solution Was Effective or
Not:
- In the past five years, Sikorsky's OSHA lost
workday incident and severity rates have dropped by more than 75 percent.
- The OSHA Total Recordable Incident Rate has
dropped 25 percent in the past year.
- Workers' compensation costs have
dramatically improved over this same period.
- Benefits of Ergonomic Solution:
- All workers that perform this task now have
reduced exposure to low back injury risk factors.
- Reduction in workers' compensation costs and
eliminating the costly retrofitting of processes.
- Production time was reduced 33 percent.
- Cost of Ergonomic Solution:
- Information not available.
- Comments:
- Proactive Ergonomics programs and empowering
the employees are the two key factors in reducing injuries in the workplace, reducing
workers' compensation costs and improving productivity.
Potential Vendors:
- ErgoWeb
Buyer's Guide
- Copyright © 2000 ErgoWeb, Inc. All rights
reserved.
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