Introduction
A sizable percentage of workplace accidents are caused by manual handling. These include chronic strain injuries and musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs), such as discomfort and damage to the joints, legs, and arms. Manual handling and hierarchy of control establish a standardized and secure method for moving and lifting objects in the workplace. Various risk-control strategies such as elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative supervision, and providing personal protective equipment are analyzed in this essay.
Elimination
The delivery firm should handle the manual labor when a package arrives because they are well-trained and have the necessary equipment for moving and lifting heavy objects. There is a lower chance of injury because the workers will not be doing manual labor. In the warehouse, eliminating tasks may be more economical and useful. Furthermore, by performing the labor at ground elevation, employers can eliminate the danger of a drop from a height. However, the disadvantage is that eliminating some manual tasks can make it more challenging to produce the final good or provide the service.
Substitution
The dangers of manual handling are reduced when lighter items replace heavier loads since lightweight objects are easier to carry and less dangerous. Distributing the weight load assists in lowering the hazards and injuries associated with lifting heavy objects. Additionally, the employer can buy items in bulk and ensure that the merchandise is handled by a firm that carries the materials to warehousing for them if it is not practicable to split the heaviness of a load. This strategy is expensive and would require the management to recruit additional workers. The hazard associated with substitution is that employees will get fatigued due to the additional work, resulting in accidents.
Engineering Controls
Employers could handle objects and loads and eliminate the need for personnel to engage in manual handling by using lifting machinery based on the sort of physical handling necessary. Using forklifts, stair climbers, and pallet trucks reduce workplace injuries by offering a simple way to lift and move large objects that workers cannot comfortably handle. The warehouse would require skilled labor to operate the machinery, which could be expensive for the organization. This strategy might result in various hazards, such as noise and vibrations, that can cause injuries to the workers.
Administration Supervision
Establishing a safe workplace requires understanding how workers function and ways to address their requirements effectively. When physical handling is unavoidable, staff members should have access to instructions and training to guarantee that moving and lifting jobs are completed safely. This is crucial when physical handling is a common component of job duties and is something employers legally must offer their employees. Training workers is time-consuming and frequently expensive; therefore, the business might need more funds (Oakman et al., 2018). Additionally, as employees receive training and advance in their positions by widening their skill sets, they anticipate receiving rewards in the form of a salary raise for their efforts.
Providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Lifting large objects while wearing restricted clothing increases the risk of harm. Slippery footwear increases the risk of stumbling, which elevates the likelihood of an accident. Employing hand and foot safety as part of the personal protective equipment (PPE) for manual handling will help employees maintain a firm hold on objects and keep balance while moving loads. However, the disadvantages of PPEs range from their scarcity to issues caused by humidity and dehydration when wearing them (Oakman et al., 2018). Hazards associated include muscle sprains which result from dehydration when wearing the PPEs.
Conclusion
Improper manual handling can damage the merchandise in addition to harming people. A large item raised inappropriately and then dropped is probable to sustain harm from the impact. Eliminating and substituting manual work lower the risk of injuries in a warehouse. Administration supervision like staff training, engineering controls such as using forklifts, and implementing PPEs lower the risk of injury from manual material handling. Injuries might result in significant financial losses when it pertains to decreased productivity and general confidence.
Reference
Oakman, J., Macdonald, W., Bartram, T., Keegel, T., & Kinsman, N. (2018). Workplace risk management practices to prevent musculoskeletal and mental health disorders: What are the gaps?Safety Science, 101(3), 220-230. Web.