Manejo Manual de Materiales (MMM). Manual Material Handling (MMH)
- Alexander Álvarez García
- 9 oct 2017
- 4 Min. de lectura
If you formulate a hypothesis and it is correct, you will be a genius. If you formulate a hypothesis and you fail, then it was only a hypothesis.
Neil Bogart
This topic is one of the most problematic topics in all industries, so, NIOSH, OSHA, INPSASEL, INSHT, among others Government Departments in different countries, have been working on it.
A basic criterion is object's weight more than 3 Kg creates the risk of developing an injury in the dorsal and lumbar back. This situation happens because of the people's postures during work.
When those weights are under 3 Kg, runs the risk of developing Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD), because of the repetition.The injuries connected with WMSD do not be lethal, however, they can be very difficult to heal and recover.
In the book named Musculoskeletal Disorders and Workplace Factors [1] , shows in the 6th chapter, the following information:
Over 40% recent articles provided evidence regarding the relationship between low-back disorder and the five physical workplace factors that were considerd in thid review. These included heavy physical work, lifting and forceful movements, bending and twisting (awkward posture), whole-body vibration, and static work postures. Many of the studies addressed multiple work-related factors. All articles that addressed a particular workplace factor contributed to the information used to draw conclusions about that risk factor, regardless of whether results were positive or negative.
The review provided evidence for a positive relationship between back disorder and heavy physical work, although risk estimates were more moderate than for lifting/forceful movements, ankward posturesm and WBV.....
There is strong evidence that low-back disorders are assiciated with work-relaated lifting and forceful movements. Of 18 epidemiologic studies that were review, 13 were consistent in demostrating positive relationshiops......
This work from 1997 and the information that is owned, tells us that from the five factors related to low-back disorders, four of them are observed by HSE Professionals in MMH activities. Now, this evidence shows this kind of job has a high-risk level to develop low-back disorders, shoulder injuries, elbow injuries, or some of the WMSD. However, industries still use that kind of work inside their productive processes, shows up a question, as an Occupational Health and Safety Professionals, What we can do about it?. NIOSH has Ergonomics Guidelines for MMH [2], in this document appears some items this organization advices according to several studies performed, especially about Types of Ergonomic Improvements. In general, ergonomic improvements are changes that companies made to improve the better functioning of the productive processes. There are many ways to improve a particular MMH task. It is up to you to make informed choices about which improvements will work best for particular tasks.
There are two types of ergonomic improvements:
Engineering improvements. These include rearranging, modifying, redesigning, providing or replacing tools, equipment, workstations, packaging, parts, processes, products, or materials
Administrative improvements. Observe how different workers perform the same tasks to get ideas for improving work practices or organizing the work. Then consider the following improvements: Alternate heavy tasks with light tasks. Provide variety in jobs to eliminate or reduce repetition (i.e., overuse of the same muscle groups). Adjust work schedules, work pace, or work practices. Provide recovery time (e.g., short rest breaks). Modify work practices so that workers perform work within their power zone (i.e., above the knees, below the shoulders, and close to the body). Rotate workers through jobs that use different muscles, body parts, or postures.
Administrative improvements, such as job rotation, can help reduce workers’ exposures to risk factors by limiting the amount of time workers spend on “problem jobs.” However, these measures may still expose workers to risk factors that can lead to injuries. For these reasons, the most effective way to eliminate “problem jobs” is to change them. This can be done by putting into place the appropriate engineering improvements and modifying work practices accordingly.
How can you choose the best approach?. Well, you have to do an Action Plan, but, in this case, has to be Proactive. This booklet shows four steps that you can follow to achieve risk reduction.
These steps are:
Look for clues: Review, observation and assessments tools are require in this step.
Prioritize Jobs for Improvements: you have to decide, according to frequency, severity, complaints, symptoms, injuries happened, technical and financial resources at your disposal, workers’ ideas, difficulty in implementing improvements, and timeframe for making improvements.
Make improvements: The goal of making changes is to improve the fit between the demands of work tasks and the capabilities of your workers. Combine operations and processes whenever possible to reduce or eliminate unnecessary manual handling of materials and products. Depending on the characteristics of the work and the workers, there may be some changes that will improve a particular task.
Follow Up: It is important to follow up in order to evaluate if your improvements have worked. After a reasonable adjustment period, set a date to follow up on the changes made. Make sure to evaluate each improvement separately for effectiveness. Has each improvement:
Reduced or eliminated fatigue, discomfort, symptoms, and/or injuries?
Been accepted by workers?
Reduced or eliminated most or all of the risk factors?
Caused any new risk factors, hazards, or other problems?
Caused a decrease in productivity and efficiency?
Caused a decrease in product and service quality?
Been supported with the training needed to make it effective?
If you determine your improvements have not worked, modify them or try something different until the risk factors have been reduced or eliminated.
Now you have an idea of what to do in this kind of situation. I am going to let a link here with these two documents for you. Thanks for reading me.
References
[1]Putz - Anderson, Vern Ph. D.; Bernard, Bruce P. M.D., M.P.H; Burt, Susan E.; Cole, Libby L. Ph.D.; Fairfield-Estill, Cheryl; Fine, Lawrence J. M.D., Dr. P.H.; Grant, Katharyn A. Ph. D.; Gjessing, Christopher; Jenkins, Lynn; Hurrell Jr., Joseph J. Ph.D.; Nelson, Nancy Ph.D.; Pfirman, Donna; Roberts, Robert; Stetson, Diana Ph.D.; Haring-Sweeney, Marie Ph.D.; Tanaka, Shiro M.D., Musculoskeletal Disorders and Workplace Factors, B. P. Bernard, Ed., Cincinnati, Ohio: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1997.
[2]California Department of industrial; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; CAL/OSHA Consultation Service; CNA Insurance Companies; Ergonomic Assist Systems and Equipment (EASE), Ergnomic Guidelines for Manual Material Handling, No. 2007 - 131 ed., D. (NIOSH), Ed., California: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 2007.
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