1. Write the summary of the article in less than 150 words.
- Deere and Company manufacturers farm equipment. Workers in their construction department perform a number of manual jobs that involve heavy objects which brings injury. A huge lost amount of time and money due to the work environment not being ergonomic. The reason and risk factors for these workers health issues were lifting and carrying heavy objects weighing around 75 pounds, bending and kneeling of workers for prolonged times, workers with hand tools like wrenched with awkward wrist positions. To solve these problems the company initiated some ergonomic programs using NIOSH education for lifting. Restrictions has been put on lifting objects manually that were heavier than 40 pounds. Workstations has been redesigned so workers do not have to bend or kneel. Hand tools have been changed to save the workers from wrist strains and installed a hoist for lifting lawn mower decks. Workers participation and contribution in these initiatives helped the company achieve these benefits.
2. List the ergonomics issues in that workplace.
- Use hand tools like a wrench with difficult postures for their wrists
- lift a heavy lawn mower deck to attach it to the tractor
- kneeling while fastening the deck with one hand and also holding it with the other hand
- Lifting and carrying heavy objects weighing around 75 pounds
- back problems because of working in awkward positions for long hours
3. Consequences that the company had to bear due to the ergonomics issues.
- huge amount of lost time and money
- increasing loss of productive work time due to back injury of workers which increased up to 31% in 1979
- medical compensation costs by 15% per year
- 12 cases of first aid during one year
- lost 28% more time due to workers over exertion and back strains in 1984
- pay 70% more medical compensation to workers in 1978
4. State the improvement methods that can be taken by the company to overcome the problems.
- initiated some ergonomics program using the NIOSH education for lifting
- Started and 8 hour ergonomics training program
- carry out a review of the office furniture and laid down guidelines for new purchases
- trained employees on the use of video displays
- restrictions on lifting objects manually which were heavier than 40 pounds
- redesigned workstations so workers did have to bend or kneel
- changed hand tools to prevent wrist strains
- installed a hoist for lifting lawn mower decks
CASE 2
1. Write the summary of the article in less than 150 words.
- Silicon Graphic Inc is a large supplier of computer servers, workstations and super computers. The company has 3800 workers. OSHA reported increasing cases of upper limb disorders during the period between 1991 and 1996. The hazards were identified by increasing cases of Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD) related injuries in 1990s, increase in back injuries and a resulting increase in medical costs. The risks were identified as lifting and carrying of heavy objects and awkward postures while working. An ergonomic consultant was hired to evaluate the workstations for ergonomics conditions, provide compulsory ergonomic training to their employees and purchased new ergonomic office equipment. Case study reported that upper limb disorder has reduced by 41% and all related injuries by 70%. The ergonomic program was made successful by the support and funding of the upper management for it.
2. List the ergonomics issues in that workplace.
- uses of computer mouse extensively
- workers at assembly line had to do considerable manual work while handling materials
- lift heavy computer systems to pack them into shipping boxes
- awkward postures while working
3. State the consequences that the company had to bear due to the ergonomics issues.
- increasing cases of upper limb disorders during the period between 1991 and 1996
- increasing cases of Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD) related to injuries in 1990s
- increase in back injuries
- increase in medical costs
4. State the improvement methods that can be taken by the company to overcome the problems.
- hired an ergonomic consultant
- evaluate the workstations for ergonomic conditions
- provide compulsory ergonomic training to employees
- purchased new ergonomic office equipment
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