A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A SAFETY AND HEALTH ERGONOMIC INTERVENTION FOR MANUAL SCRAP METAL SORTING

Title:	A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A SAFETY AND HEALTH ERGONOMIC INTERVENTION FOR MANUAL SCRAP METAL SORTING
Author:	JASZKOWIAK, MATTHEW N.
Description:	A tilting table was installed as an ergonomic intervention for a manual scrap metal sorting task at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, in Bremerton, Washington. This was part of a larger shipyard ergonomics project. The scrap metal sorting task involves manually removing, sometimes heavy, pieces of scrap from a self-dumping hopper, and then placing or throwing the scrap into a larger container to be shipped off for recycling. Use of the tilting table allows for less strenuous removal of scrap items from the self-dumping hopper. This is accomplished by tilting the hopper until the discharge chute is nearly horizontal, and at approximately thirty inches above ground level. Relocation of the discharge chute results in lower spinal bending moments, and reduced lifting distance. This results in lower overall physical strain and reduced risk of injury, especially to the low back. This task was analyzed using the University of Michigan 3D Static strength Prediction Program, and the NIOSH Lifting Equation. The overall effect is an eventual reduction of injuries and all of the direct and indirect costs associated with those injuries.
Permanent Link:	http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1060950687 http://hdl.handle.net/2374.OX/11502
Date:	2003

Files in this item

Files	Size	Format	View
There are no files associated with this item.