Handling risks: engaging with employees to find practical solutionsOne size doesn’t fit all

Amanda DowsonRGN SPCPHN(OH) BA(Hons) CMIOSH

Specialist Practitioner in Occupational Health Nursing and Safety Management

Proper posture and core strength can prevent the majority of back pain

•Postural awareness

•Body mechanics

•Core Strength

•Employee engagement

•Risk assessment tools

Structure of the Back

What posture do you have?

Postural awareness

Core muscles support neutral posture

Impact on core

Balance of the body

Asymmetrical posture

Asymmetrical postures and feet

One style doesn’t fit all

Asymmetrical posture and structures

Asymmetrical posture

Asymmetrical posture and weight bearing

50% 50% 75% 25%

Finding and strengthening core muscles

Finding and strengthening core muscles

Finding and strengthening core muscles

Finding and strengthening core muscles

Finding and strengthening core muscles

Finding and strengthening core muscles

Finding and strengthening core muscles

Manual Handling hazards

Upper Limb hazards

Manual activities

Push / pull hazards

Lower limb hazards

Manual activities

Body awareness

Ergonomic principles:

• Static work and force

• Different but equally healthy and safe postures

• Largest appropriate muscle groups

• Mid-point range of movements

Power lift

MAC Risk Factors Colour Band(G,A,R or P)

After

Lift Carry Team LiftLoad weight and lift/carry frequency

Hand distance from the lower back

Vertical lift region

Trunk twisting/sideways bending. Asymmetrical trunk/load (carrying)

Postural constraints

Grip on load

Floor surface

Other environmental factors

Carry distance

Obstacles en route (carrying only)

Communication and co-ordination (team handling only)

Task Score

ART – Risk FactorBefore After

Left Arm Right Arm Left Arm Right Arm

Arm movements

Repetition

Force

Head/neck posture

Back posture

Arm posture

Wrist posture

Hand/finger grip

Breaks

Work pace

Other factors

Task score

Duration multiplier 0.75 0.75 0.25 0.25

Exposure Factor

Lower Limb – Risk Factors

Before After

Trunk posture

Legs

Knees

Activity

Force/load

Working on your feet

Work pace

Individual vulnerability

Psychological factors

Push Pull – Risk Factors Before After

Load –• Good hand holds• Stable and predictable• Clear vision around / over it• Wheels / castors suitable for load / for floor surface / easy to steer / not easily damaged

or defective / without brakes or difficult to stop / with planned inspection and maintenance regime

Individual – does the job:• Requires unusual capability• Create a hazard to those with health problem / pregnant / physical / learning difficulty• Call for special information / training

Task –• High initial force to get load moving / to keep load in motion• Sudden movements to start, stop or manoeuvre• Twisting / manoeuvring of load into position or around obstacles• One handed operations / Hands below waist or above shoulder height• Movement at high speed / over long distances • Repetitive pulling / pushing

Environment –• Constraints on body posture/positioning or confined spaces / narrow walkways• Surfaces or edges cause cuts / abrasions / burns• Rutted / damaged / slippery floors or ramps / slopes / uneven surfaces• Trapping / tripping hazards• Poor lighting conditions• Hot / cold / humid conditions• Strong air movements

Area of Work

Workplace Activity

ART MAC Push Pull Lower Limb

Review date

Paint Shop Shotblasting 01/12/2014

Manoeuvring Jobs

01/02/2015

Spray Painting 01/02/2015

Actuation Craning Valves onto Block

01/10/2017

Mounting and Connecting Instruments

01/10/2014

Risk assessments

Area of Work

Workplace Activity

ART MAC Push Pull Lower Limb

Review date

Paint Shop Shotblasting 01/12/2016

Manoeuvring Jobs

01/02/2017

Spray Painting 01/02/2017

Actuation Craning Valves onto Block

01/10/2019

Mounting and Connecting Instruments

01/10/2019

Risk assessments

Proper posture and core strength can prevent the majority of back pain

the rest of it comes down to good risk management