23-09-2014, 02:57 PM
The textile industry is one of the most complicated manufacturing industries because it is a fragmented and heterogeneous sector dominated by small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In textiles, manual handling causes more than a quarter of the work related injuries reported each year. Around 60% of these involve an injury to the back, and some result in permanent disablement. Many injuries arise from stresses and strains over a period of time rather than from a single event. Manual handling problems often stem from poor workplace or job design. Among the most common examples of risky activities are jobs involving: heavy or awkward loads; difficulty in gripping; excessive use of force; repetition; twisting and other awkward postures. Costs to the company can come from: loss of production; poor product quality; sickness payments; accident injury claims and higher insurance premiums; high staff turnover; and retraining. Possible costs to the individual are: pain; possible permanent disability; time off work; and loss of earnings. This project report provides information on manual hand
MANUAL HANDLING SOLUTIONS IN THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY
OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT:
As manufacturers face an increasingly competitive global business environment, they seek opportunities to increase their production without any injuries or accidents. And for that we have to minimize the rate of accidents in the industry and for doing so we have to study on all aspects of the industry and bring a solution for that. The textile industry has played an important role in the development of human civilization over several millennia.
SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
In textiles, manual handling causes more than a quarter of the work related
injuries reported each year. Around 60% of these involve an injury to the back,
and some result in permanent disablement. Many injuries arise from stresses
and strains over a period of time rather than from a single event.
Manual handling problems often stem from poor workplace or job design.
Among the most common examples of risky activities are jobs involving: heavy
or awkward loads; difficulty in gripping; excessive use of force; repetition; twisting and other awkward postures.
Costs to the company can come from: loss of production; poor product
quality; sickness payments; accident injury claims and higher insurance
premiums; high staff turnover; and retraining. Possible costs to the individual
are: pain; possible permanent disability; time off work; and loss of earnings.
MANUAL HANDLING
Manual handling covers a wide range of activities including lifting, pushing,
pulling. holding. throwing and carrying. It includes repetitive tasks such as
packing, typing, assembling, cleaning and sorting, using hand tools and
operating machinery and equipment.
Because most jobs involve some type of manual handling, most workers
are at risk of manual handling injury. Of course, not all manual handling tasks
are hazardous. But it is significant that around 25% of all workplace injuries are
caused by manual handling.
REDUCING THE RISKS
INVOLVE EMPLOYEES
Involving employees is critical because they understand the workplace and are exposed to the risks. Their knowledge and experience will assist in identifying problem areas and in providing practical solutions. The best way to involve employees is by having trained health and safety representatives
established in your workplace. Health and safety representatives must be consulted when identifying hazards, and assessing and controlling risks.
IDENTIFYING THE HAZARDS
This is the first step in the process of managing occupational health and safety risk within the workplace. This publication outlines 19 common hazardous manual handling tasks within the textiles industry.
ASSESSING AND CONTROLLING THE RISKS
The management of occupational health and safety risk is successful only if appropriate risk control measures are implemented. The second step is to assess exactly which manual handling risks require control.
This publication has industry examples which demonstrate how the risk factors have been assessed and controlled in each task. It provides multiple short and long term control options. If the risks cannot be eliminated immediately, interim measures to reduce the risk of an injury
occurring are recommended while determining how and when long term controls will be implemented. A combination of risk control measures are often required to provide the best solutions. The risk controls should be reviewed after a short period to assess their effectiveness and whether any further changes or improvements are required
COMMON MANUAL HANDING ISSUES
TROLLEYS
If trolleys are overloaded, not maintained, or used for material and tasks for which they are not designed, a risk of hazardous manual handling exists.
Solutions:
• Large wheels or castors with low-friction bearings reduce force
• Check wheels and castors are regularly cleaned and maintained to reduce forces involved in trolley handling
• Add skirts to the base of trolleys to prevent fibre entangling in wheels and castors
• Check that trolleys have suitable handle height, width and placement to reduce bent postures and force while pushing and manoeuvring
• Use vertical handles to cater for employees of different height, reducing the force required to move the trolley Preventative maintenance of all equipment, including mechanical aids recommended in this publication is essential to minimise risk. Implement an effective ‘tag out’ system to identify, remove and repair damaged or faulty equipment.
FLOOR SURFACES
Floor surfaces in the textile industry may become slippery as a result of lubricant spills, wool grease, dust, fibre or other substances settling on surfaces. In addition, cracked and uneven floor surfaces may increase the force when an employee is moving a trolley or tubs.
Solutions:
• Control measures need to be put in place to prevent, reduce and contain oil and lubricant spills and airborne dust or fibre
• Regular degreasing of floor surfaces exposed to spills
• Regular housekeeping ie: cleaning and vacuum removal of dust and fibre
• Regular repair and maintenance of floor surfaces
MANUAL HANDLING SOLUTIONS IN THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY
OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT:
As manufacturers face an increasingly competitive global business environment, they seek opportunities to increase their production without any injuries or accidents. And for that we have to minimize the rate of accidents in the industry and for doing so we have to study on all aspects of the industry and bring a solution for that. The textile industry has played an important role in the development of human civilization over several millennia.
SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
In textiles, manual handling causes more than a quarter of the work related
injuries reported each year. Around 60% of these involve an injury to the back,
and some result in permanent disablement. Many injuries arise from stresses
and strains over a period of time rather than from a single event.
Manual handling problems often stem from poor workplace or job design.
Among the most common examples of risky activities are jobs involving: heavy
or awkward loads; difficulty in gripping; excessive use of force; repetition; twisting and other awkward postures.
Costs to the company can come from: loss of production; poor product
quality; sickness payments; accident injury claims and higher insurance
premiums; high staff turnover; and retraining. Possible costs to the individual
are: pain; possible permanent disability; time off work; and loss of earnings.
MANUAL HANDLING
Manual handling covers a wide range of activities including lifting, pushing,
pulling. holding. throwing and carrying. It includes repetitive tasks such as
packing, typing, assembling, cleaning and sorting, using hand tools and
operating machinery and equipment.
Because most jobs involve some type of manual handling, most workers
are at risk of manual handling injury. Of course, not all manual handling tasks
are hazardous. But it is significant that around 25% of all workplace injuries are
caused by manual handling.
REDUCING THE RISKS
INVOLVE EMPLOYEES
Involving employees is critical because they understand the workplace and are exposed to the risks. Their knowledge and experience will assist in identifying problem areas and in providing practical solutions. The best way to involve employees is by having trained health and safety representatives
established in your workplace. Health and safety representatives must be consulted when identifying hazards, and assessing and controlling risks.
IDENTIFYING THE HAZARDS
This is the first step in the process of managing occupational health and safety risk within the workplace. This publication outlines 19 common hazardous manual handling tasks within the textiles industry.
ASSESSING AND CONTROLLING THE RISKS
The management of occupational health and safety risk is successful only if appropriate risk control measures are implemented. The second step is to assess exactly which manual handling risks require control.
This publication has industry examples which demonstrate how the risk factors have been assessed and controlled in each task. It provides multiple short and long term control options. If the risks cannot be eliminated immediately, interim measures to reduce the risk of an injury
occurring are recommended while determining how and when long term controls will be implemented. A combination of risk control measures are often required to provide the best solutions. The risk controls should be reviewed after a short period to assess their effectiveness and whether any further changes or improvements are required
COMMON MANUAL HANDING ISSUES
TROLLEYS
If trolleys are overloaded, not maintained, or used for material and tasks for which they are not designed, a risk of hazardous manual handling exists.
Solutions:
• Large wheels or castors with low-friction bearings reduce force
• Check wheels and castors are regularly cleaned and maintained to reduce forces involved in trolley handling
• Add skirts to the base of trolleys to prevent fibre entangling in wheels and castors
• Check that trolleys have suitable handle height, width and placement to reduce bent postures and force while pushing and manoeuvring
• Use vertical handles to cater for employees of different height, reducing the force required to move the trolley Preventative maintenance of all equipment, including mechanical aids recommended in this publication is essential to minimise risk. Implement an effective ‘tag out’ system to identify, remove and repair damaged or faulty equipment.
FLOOR SURFACES
Floor surfaces in the textile industry may become slippery as a result of lubricant spills, wool grease, dust, fibre or other substances settling on surfaces. In addition, cracked and uneven floor surfaces may increase the force when an employee is moving a trolley or tubs.
Solutions:
• Control measures need to be put in place to prevent, reduce and contain oil and lubricant spills and airborne dust or fibre
• Regular degreasing of floor surfaces exposed to spills
• Regular housekeeping ie: cleaning and vacuum removal of dust and fibre
• Regular repair and maintenance of floor surfaces