Element 4: Musculoskeletal Flashcards
Outline Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) include all disorders that effect the bodies muscles, ligaments, tendons, joints, nerves and other soft tissues inlcuding upper limb disorders
Outline Work Related Upper Limb Disorders
WRULDs are injuries occuring in the upper body ( the hands, arms, wrists, fingers, neck and shoulders) usually effecting the soft tissue, and caused by or contributed to by the workers actvties in the workplace
Give examples of repetitive construction activities that can cause MSDs and WRULDs
Repetitive construction activities that can cause MSDs and WRULDs include digging, kerb laying, moving and fixing plasterboard, laying bricks and concrete slabs, scaffold erection / dismantling and use of DSE
Factors that contribute to ill-health conditions
- TASK - physical requirements, e.g. posture and physical action, forces involves, repetition, duration and recovery time
- Environment - particularly lighing e.g. illumination, contrast, glare. Cold or damp conditions
- Equipment - physical characteristics of the equipment and position in relation to user. Also consider worker interaction with work equipment.
Define ergonomics
Ergonomics is the study of the relationship between the worker, the work that they are doing and the environment they are doing it in
Identify four factors to be considered in a risk assessment of manual handling operations
T.I.L.E.
Task
Individual
Load
Environment
Define Task
The design of the task should be considered, incl consideration of;
- sequencing
- work routine
- using teams
- mechanising or automating tasks
Define Individual
Employees carrying out manual handling tasks must have adequate training, instruction, information and supervision, Individuals with health problems should be considered and health monitored, reporting systems and job related training must be in place
Employees should understand the importance of:
- Design of task, workplace layout
- Recognising different types of loads and assessing the weight and balance of loads
- Safe lifting and handling techniques
- Correct use of ppe
- Correct use of mechanical aids
When assessing the load what must be considered:
- Weight and size
- Making the load easier to grasp
- Making the load more stable
- Making the load less damaging to hold
- Markings
When assessing the environment what must be considered
- Work place design
- Floor conditions
- Changes in level
- Atmospheric conditions
- PPE
General hazards associated with mechanically operated load handling equipment
- Mechanical failure
- Overloading
- Collision with pedestrians or other vehicles or structures
- Falls of materials or persons
- Noise
- Contact with moving parts or crushing hazards
- Smoke, dust, fumes
- Fire and / or explosion when refuelling
General hazards and control measures associated with manually operated load moving equipment
Hazards
- Slipes trips and falls
- Overloading or incorrectly loaded leading to instability and tipping
- Loss of control and runaway
- Impact with strucures, people or falling loads
Control measures
- Plan a safe route, i,e using ramps
- Avoid pedestrians
- Ensure the device is suitable for the load, and place load centrally
- Stow pallet trucks with forks out of the way
- Use PPE if appropriate
Requirements for Lifting Operations
The operator should ensure all lifting equipment under there control is:
- Sufficiently strong, stable and suitable for the proposed use
- Positioned or installed correctly to prevent the risk of injury, e.g. from equipment, or the load falling and striking people
- Visibly marked with any appropriate information, e.g. SWLs
- Accessories e.g. clamps, slings etc should also be marked
Also it must be ensured that:
- Lifting operations are organised, planned, supervised and carried out in a safe manner, by competent people
- Where equipment is used for lifting people it is strong, stable and suitable for this purpose
Examination of lifting equipment
LOLER specifies requirements for inspection, examination and testing of any lifting equipment by a competent person. The general requirements are:
- Regular visual inspection should be conducted before use and weekly
- When lifting equipment is used for the first time or first time in a new location
- A thorough examination must be conducted:
- At least every six month for equipment used to lift people
- At least every twelve months for all other equipment
- Following any incident, acident or change in conditions of use
- A report must be provided to the employer after each inspection
