Element 4: Muscoskeletal Hazards & Risk Control

Question 1

What is a WRULD & how might it be brought about?

Answer 1

•”Work-related upper limb disorder”
Refers to I’ll health affecting upper limbs, particularly SOFT TISSUES, MUSCLES & NERVES of hand, wrist, arm, shoulder.
• Arise from repetition of ordinary movements (gripping, twisting, reaching or moving) often forceful or awkward manner, without sufficient rest/ recovery time.

Question 2

What construction activities can cause MSD’s & WRULD’s?

Answer 2

• Digging - Bending, twisting & lifting while stooping.
• kerb laying - lifting stooped or kneeling.
• Movement & Fixing Plasterboard - lifting from flat to upright wide & tall panel. Fixing in place.
• Placement & finishing concrete slabs - Lifting from flat & laying flat.
• Bricklaying - repetition, small not heavy, twisting & turning similar with cement.
• Scaffolding - Lifting tubes from vehicle turning twisting reaching to fix.
• Display Equipment -

Question 3

What are 3 main I’ll health effects of poorly designed tasks and workstations?

Answer 3

• Physical Stress - resulting in injury or fatigue (aches pains etc) from poor posture & excessive demands on manual dexterity also in respect of exposure to excessive noise & vibration.
• Visual Problems - Excessive brightness, prolonged concentrated work on small objects either on display screen or components used in work process eg. Construction drawing office.
• Mental Stress - mainly excessive demands of task performance, lack of control over working processes & poor organisational & physical environmental conditions.

Question 4

Describe how Glare contributes to Ill health conditions?

Answer 4

Glare occurs when one part of visual field is brighter than average brightness to which visual field adapted.
• Direct interference with vision - disability glare.
• Discomfort, annoyance, irritability or distraction - Discomfort glare, related to visual fatigue such as sore eyes & headache.

Question 5

How may glare occur?

Answer 5

• Result of light source directly in line of vision (setting sun through windshield, badly positioned flood light)
• Reflection of light off polished surface (mirror or computer screen).

Question 6

Sum up aims of ergonomics in simple phrase.

Answer 6

• Fitting task to worker.

Question 7

What are main causes of injury from manual handling operations?

Answer 7

• Failure to use proper technique for lifting & moving object(s) or load.
• Moving loads which are too heavy.
• Failing to grip in safe manner.
• Not wearing appropriate PPE.

Question 8

What are characteristics of load which constitute hazard?

Answer 8

• Weight
• Size
• Shape
• Resistance to movement
• Rigidity or lack of
• position of centre of gravity
• presence or absence handles
• Surface texture
• Stability of contents & contents themselves

Question 9

Identify main hazards presented by working environment in respect of manual handling.

Answer 9

• Constraints on movement & posture
• Conditions of floors & other surfaces
• Variations in levels
• Temperature & humidity
• Strong air movements
• Lighting conditions

Question 10

How can manual handling tasks be redesigned to make less hazardous?

Answer 10

• Sequencing- minimise no. Of operations involving lifting & carrying loads.
• Work routine - reducing repetitive ops to allow variation in movement & posture with breaks, job rotation, operate at own pace rather than keeping up with machine or process.
• Using teams - share load.
• Mechanising or automating task.

Question 11

What are most common hazards associated with forklift trucks?

Answer 11

• Unbalanced - Small wheels particularly while carrying load
• Reversing.
• Obscured vision when load raised.
• Unsuitable trucks for environment.

Question 12

What are the main hazards associated with Lifts & Hoists?

Answer 12

• Falls from a height (from landing level, from platform or with platform)
• Being hit by materials falling from the platform.
• Struck by platform or other moving parts.
• Being struck by external objects or structures while riding platform.

Question 13

What are the main hazards associated with cranes?

Answer 13

• unbalanced & topple over
• Arm swinging out of control.
• Load Striking something while being moved horizontally or falling.

Question 14

What are main hazards associated with sack trucks?

Answer 14

• Overloading
• Instability of load
• Tipping when moving over uneven ground or slopes.
• Careless parking.

Question 15

What personal protective equipment might be appropriate for working with Pallet Trucks?

Answer 15

• Safety footwear
• Gloves
• Aprons to protect while handling loads.

Question 16

What PPE appropriate for working with cranes.

Answer 16

• Safety helmet
• Rigger gloves
• Safety footwear
• Hi vis clothing

Question 17

Under Loler 98 when must thorough examination of lifting equip used to carry people be conducted?

Answer 17

• Before put in to service for first time including first time at new location.
• At least every 6 months.
• Following incident or accident that might have stressed equipment.
• Following change in conditions of use which could affect safety of equipment.
ROPES & CHAINS ON EQUIP TO LIFT PEOPLE INSPECT EVERY WORKING DAY.

Question 18

What are key issues to be addressed before moving concrete blocks by hand?

Answer 18

• Task - Distance, frequency of lifting, vertical height to lift.
• Individual - Pre existing medical conditions, knowledge of lifting techniques, Physique.
• Load - Good grip, dimensions, stability of load, surface texture.
• Environment - space constraints, floor condition, temperature, lighting.