Unit GC 2 – Controlling workplace hazards Element 3: Musculoskeletal hazards and risk control

Question 1

What is meant by the term ‘ergonomics’?

Answer 1

The study of the relationship between workers and their environment, work equipment and work task.

Question 2

Common ill-health effects of working in poor ergonomically designed workplaces

Answer 2

• Numbness in fingers
• Pains in hands or arms
• Restriction of joint movement
• Soft tissue swelling

Question 3

Task related factors that could increase the likelihood of ill-health

Answer 3

• Repetitive finger, hand or arm movements
• Twisting movement
• Squeezing
• Hammering
• Pushing, pulling or reaching movements

Question 4

Outline 6 ergonomic factors to be considered when carrying out a task related risk assessment

Answer 4

• Repetitions
• Force needed
• Posture and need for stooping and twisting
• Personal factors (body dimensions, age, experience etc)
• Environmental conditions (Lighting, heating, ventilation)
• The position of controls and displays on machines and equipment

Question 5

Factors to consider when carrying out a display screen equipment assessment

Answer 5

• Adequate lighting
• Minimum noise
• Ample legroom
• Suitable screen at eye level
• Suitable software
• Keyboard
• Work surface
• Suitable work chair
• Footrest if necessary

Question 6

Common injuries that may be caused by manual handling.

Answer 6

• Back injuries including disc damage
• Cuts and bruises
• Abrasions
• Crush injuries
• Strains and sprains
• Muscle pulls and tears
• Hernias

Question 7

Identify the 4 factors to consider when carrying out a manual handling assessment and highlight 4 issues under each factor.

Answer 7

L

Load (weight, size, shape)

I

Individual (capabilities, susceptibility)

T

Task (distance, frequency, duration, position)

E

Environment (lighting, floor condition, space)

Question 8

Lifting technique to reduce the risk of injury from manual handling.

Answer 8

• Assess the load to be lifted (weight, centre of gravity, handholds etc.)
• Get as close to the load as possible
• Ensure a secure grip on the load
• Adopt a suitable position with feet apart, back kept naturally straight and knees bent.
• Keep the load close to the body and lift using a smooth movement
• Lower the load and then push/slide into final position.

Question 9

Identify the common causes of the following:

Answer 9

Collapse/ Overturning

Overloading, not considering centre of gravity, operating in high winds, using mobile equipment on uneven ground, driving across a gradient, driving too quickly around a corner

Loss of load

Poor attachment, not securing load properly, damaged lifting accessories, lifting in high winds, load stacked too high

Collision

Inattention by driver, poor traffic management, poor visibility due to high loads, poor segregation / separation, driving too fast.

Question 10

Specific hazards arising from the use of battery powered fork lift trucks.

Answer 10

• Contact with electrolyte (acid and distilled water)
• Production of hydrogen gas (highly flammable)
• Possibility of electric arcing
• Manual handling issue with very heavy batteries

Question 11

Outline 8 factors to consider when planning a lifting operation.

Answer 11

1. Nature of load to be lifted
2. Distance / location of lift and suitability of lifting equipment for the task
3. Strength of lifting equipment
4. Ground conditions
5. Environmental conditions
6. Competency of driver / operator
7. Need for banksman / supervision
8. Method of securing the load / attachments / accessories

Question 12

Requirements for the examination of lifting equipment.

Answer 12

• All lifting equipment is to be thoroughly examined every 12 months
• If the lifting equipment is designed to carry personnel then the frequency is every 6 months.
• All lifting accessories (lifting tackle) must be thoroughly examined every 6 months.

Question 13

Identify precautions that should be taken when leaving a forklift truck unattended.

Answer 13

1. Leaving the truck on a firm level surface in a designated area with the mast tilted slightly forward and the forks resting on the floor
2. Parking it away from other vehicles and in a position that does not obstruct emergency exits, walkways and fire points
3. Switching the power off
4. Leaving the controls in neutral and applying the brake
5. Removing the key and returning it to a responsible person to prevent unauthorised use.

Question 14

Identify four work activities that may cause a worker to suffer from a work-related upper limb disorder (WRULD)

Answer 14

1. Nature of load to be lifted
2. Distance / location of lift and suitability of lifting equipment for the task
3. Strength of lifting equipment
4. Good conditions
5. Environmental conditions
6. Competency of driver / operator
7. Need for banksman / supervision
8. Method of securing the load / attachments / accessories

Question 15

Identify four work activities that may cause a worker to suffer from a work-related upper limb disorder (WRULD)

Answer 15

• keyboard operation such as data inputting
• assembly of small components such as for circuit board production
• bricklaying and similar repetitive construction tasks
• checkout operators

Question 16

Identify four types of mechanical aid that could be used to prevent injury from the manual handling of loads

Answer 16

1. Forklift Trucks
2. Lifts and Hoists
3. Conveyors (belt, screw and roller)
4. Cranes (Mobile and Tower)

Question 17

Outline eight types of hazard relating to the use of forklift trucks

Answer 17

1. Overturning
2. Overloading
3. Driving with raised load
4. Cornering too fast
5. Collisions with racking etc
6. Loss of load
7. Mechanical failure
8. Lack of driver training

Question 18

Outline the main ill health conditions that could result from the prolonged use of display screen equipment

Answer 18

The main ill health effects are WRULDS affecting the back, neck and shoulders, eye problems, fatigue and stress.

Question 19

Identify the requirements for the inspection and examination of lifting equipment under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations

Answer 19

• strong and stable enough for the particular use and marked to indicate safe working loads
• positioned and installed to minimise any risks
• used safely, i.e. the work is planned, organised and performed by competent people
• subject to ongoing through examination and, where appropriate, inspection by competent people.

Question 20

Eye problems are often due to:

Answer 20

• staying in the same position and concentrating for too long (muscles become tense and fixed);
• poor positioning of screen and display documents (not a correct focal distance for eyes)
• poor lighting: -
  + glare
  + reflection
  + too dim / too bright
  + bright sources next to the screen
• drifting, flickering and jittering images

Question 21

WRULDS are often due to:

Answer 21

• prolonged postures
• unsuitable height of desk
• unsuitable chair without support and adjustment facility
• poor postures
• tense muscles due to stress
• poorly organised workstation and equipment

Question 22

The assessment must consider the following factors:

Answer 22

• the workstations and working environment
• the user
• daily work routines

Question 23

Work equipment and the immediate work environment should be provided using the following guidance:

Answer 23

• display screens should be parallel to windows
• display screens should be between, rather than under lighting
• diffusers fitted to lights
• avoid ‘bright sources’ next to screen
• workstations should be located away from significant noise sources
• where necessary blinds / curtains should be used at windows to reduce reflection and glare
• good housekeeping - no items under desks
• work-surface large enough for all task undertaken
• document holders and footrests should be made available to employees where necessary
• adequate storage to prevent the storage of items under desk
• desks should have non reflective surfaces and be well organised
• chairs should be adjustable in height and support, and movable
• screens should be the correct distance from the user.

Question 24

The elements of a correct DSE posture are as follows:

Answer 24

• straight back fully supported by the chair back
• elbows, hips and knees roughly at right angle
• hand and wrists in line with each other
• eyes looking down slightly to the centre of the screen
• screen directly in front - body not twisted
• screen approximately 500 mm from eyes
• document holder (if required) at same height and level with the screen
• thighs fully supported by the chair - not pointing upwards or hanging down
• feet flat on the floor or on a foot-rest if they do not reach the floor

Question 25

Common hazards of manual handling activities include:

Answer 25

• heavy manual work and lifting tasks in heavy industry
• manual handling in awkward places, like delivery work
• repetitive tasks, such as manual packing of goods
• poor posture during lifting
• pushing, pulling or dragging loads that require excessive force
• working beyond normal abilities and limits and when physically overtired
• stretching, twisting and reaching

Question 26

The manual handling risk assessment should consider the following four areas:

Answer 26

1. Task
2. Individual
3. Load
4. Environment

Question 27

The factors to be considered with regard to the task are:

Answer 27

• Does the task require the load to be held away from the body?
• Does the task require an excessive distance to carry?
• Does the task involve stooping?
• Does the task involve twisting?
• Does the task involve reaching?
• Does the task involve repetitions?

Question 28

The factors to be considered with regard to the individual are:

Answer 28

• Will it require unusual strength?
• Does the individual need special knowledge or is training required?
• Does the individual have any disabilities or disadvantages.

Question 29

The factors to be considered with regard to the load are:

Answer 29

• Is the load heavy or bulky?
• Is the load difficult to grasp?
• Is the load unstable or movable?
• Is the load sharp, hot, other?
• The centre of gravity of the load.

Question 30

The factors to be considered with regard to environment are:

Answer 30

• Are there problems caused by:
• Constraints on posture (enough space?)
• Poorly made floors affecting movement?
• Variations in levels - steps, slopes, etc?
• Poor thermal conditions?
• Strong air movements?
• Poor lighting conditions? Shadows?

Question 31

Appropriate control measures:

Answer 31

• Does the individual need to wear protective clothing or equipment?
• Is the individual pregnant or returning to work after giving birth?

Manual handling risks should be reduced considering the load, the individual, the task and the environment.

Question 32

Good handling technique for lifting

Answer 32

There are some simple things to do before and during the lift/carry:

• Remove obstructions from the route.
• For a long lift, plan to rest the load midway on a table or bench to change grip.
• Keep the load close to the waist. The load should be kept close to the body for as long as possible while lifting.
• Keep the heaviest side of the load next to the body.
• Adopt a stable position and make sure your feet are apart, with one leg slightly forward to maintain balance

Think before lifting/handling. Plan the lift. Can handling aids be used? Where is the load going to be placed? Will help be needed with the load? Remove obstructions such as discarded wrapping materials. For a long lift, consider resting the load midway on a table or bench to change grip.

Adopt a stable position. The feet should be apart with one leg slightly forward to maintain balance (alongside the load, if it is on the ground). Be prepared to move your feet during the lift to maintain your stability. Avoid tight clothing or unsuitable footwear, which may make this difficult.

Get a good hold. Where possible, the load should be hugged as close as possible to the body. This may be better than gripping it tightly with hands only.

Start in a good posture. At the start of the lift, slight bending of the back, hips and knees is preferable to fully flexing the back (stooping) or fully flexing the hips and knees (squatting).

Don’t flex the back any further while lifting. This can happen if the legs begin to straighten before starting to raise the load.

Keep the load close to the waist. Keep the load close to the body for as long as possible while lifting. Keep the heaviest side of the load next to the body. If a close approach to the load is not possible, try to slide it towards the body before attempting to lift it.

Avoid twisting the back or leaning sideways, especially while the back is bent. Shoulders should be kept level and facing in the same direction as the hips. Turning by moving the feet is better than twisting and lifting at the same time.

Keep the head up when handling. Look ahead, not down at the load, once it has been held securely.

Move smoothly. The load should not be jerked or snatched as this can make it harder to keep control and can increase the risk of injury.

Don’t lift or handle more than can be easily managed. There is a difference between what people can lift and what they can safely lift. If in doubt, seek advice or get help.

Put down, then adjust. If precise positioning of the load is necessary, put it down first, then slide it into the desired position.

Question 33

The precautions required when using manually operated equipment are:

Answer 33

• provision of suitable equipment
• avoiding steep gradients where possible
• provision of small ramps in place where there are steps / stairs
• ensure employees are aware of the load bearing capacity of the equipment and the need to secure the load