Safety Flash
Injuries sustained during maintenance – worker positioning
Injuries sustained during maintenance – worker positioning
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 14/21
- Inspection and MaintenanceLine of FireManual HandlingOccupational Health
- Human factorsLine of fireMusculoskeletal health
- Inspection and maintenance
- Hand toolsPersonal protective equipment
- Risk assessmentSafety communication
- Marine industry
Summary
This safety flash examines two maintenance injuries involving awkward worker positioning and hand tools: facial injuries from a slipping spanner and a shoulder muscle tear during bolt breaking with cutting shears. It recommends considering combined ergonomic factors in task risk assessments, pre-job planning and toolbox talks, supported by examples of ergonomic controls.
Classifications: Human factors; human performance; ergonomics.
Classifications: Line of fire; struck-by hazards.
Classifications: Musculoskeletal health; MSDs; musculoskeletal disorders.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Hand tools; hand-held tools; handheld tools.
Classifications: Personal protective equipment; PPE; personal protection equipment.
Classifications: Risk assessment; hazard assessment.
Classifications: Safety communication; toolbox talk; toolbox talks.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Summary
A member has noted several injuries in the last 6-8 months relating to worker positioning and the use of tools and equipment. A review of these incidents has established a need for improved risk assessments which consider the relationship between the worker, their environment, tools, and activity. We call this the ergonomics of the task.
IMCA SF 14/21. Themes: inspection and maintenance, line of fire, manual handling, occupational health.