Posted By Jonathan Sandler CMIOSH
Fellow safety bods, here is a new problem that you might be able to help me with.

Task:

An operative has to bend to pick up a bag containing recyclable garden waste, not exceeding 10 kilos in weight.

The size of the bag is 45cms x 45cms x 45cms and is made of heavy duty plastic.

There are two material handles, one on either side, and a strap on the base of the bag, this strap aids the refuge collector to tip the bag in order to empty its contents.

The bag has to be lifted to a height of approximately 1.5-1.6 metres and the contents emptied into the back of the dustcart.

In order that the contents of the bag can be emptied the operative has to shake the bag at least two or three times.

The shaking action lasts for approximately 5 seconds, the operative could at peak carry out this task 300 times a day.

This would lead to the operative spending 25 minuets a day shaking the bags.

Out of a possible working week of 35 hours the operative could therefore spend 2.05 hours a week on this section of the task.

The remainder of the equation can be extended if required.

The operatives are now complaining of pains and injuries to neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists.

The employer does not carry out any health surveillance.

This is a new task, 14 months old, that the local authority has request the contractor to carry out.

The operatives only started complaining 3 months ago.

Is this a manual handling problem?

I would be especially interested in hearing from other LA safety advisor's who's have to deal or have deal with this possible problem or who offer this service to their residants.

Wheely bins are out as to expensive, bio bags have been used but cause to many problems, they burst very easerly

Posted By STEVE
Jonathan

Its alright working the time factors out to empty the bags, but who carrys the bags to the cart for emptying

Whilst not a massive weight, this factor surely needs to be considered as I dont believe the cart is parked next to the waste

You mention 10kgs(20pounds approx)being lifted 1.5 m(5ft 4"approx)300times per day, but if the weight is away from the body especially at shoulder height, do we not use the 10.1 ratio (20pounds become 200 on the spine), also if the weight is at shoulder height and away from the body is not the recommended weight 5kgs.

I would imagine the neck problems are an ergonomic issue, posture needed to empty bags, body weight tilted to one side of the neck.

The wrist and elbows could be similiar, as you mention material handles on side of bags(are the loops to big), then a strap on the base, does this mean when carrying they use the side handles, then a side handle and bottom strap when tipping, if this method, when it comes to tipping they must let go of one of the side handles,all of a sudden 10kgs on one wrist even though for only a few seconds.

To tip in this method you would be excerting pressure upwards on one arm/hand and a downward force on the other this would also make the body tilt to an awkward posture.

Can a gantry not be situated on back of wagon, where one man could be situated so he is above the work area, emptying the sacks, this would reduce the height they had to be lifted and the bags would just need to be held by the two side handles keeping the bags close to the body.

Is no easy solution, but suggest getting one of the suit&ties from the LA out on the job for the day to experience the complaints being made (first hand experience)this would show committment from the top that we constantly speak about in our H&S Policy

Get an Ergonomist in for the day and see if the complaints are just

Steve

Posted By Jasonjg
Having worked for a employment agency as casual labour and being sent to a local authority to do this type of work on a number of occasions, I can only express a working mans view to the situation we faced with regards to the pains you mention and not a view from manual handling.

1.Worse problem we had was the time pressure & keeping up with the vans. Sometimes the agency workers would swear that the perm drivers had a grudge and deliberately forced the pace that allowed very little time to even contemplate any manual handling techniques or rest or anything for that matter.


2.Yes, you are correct when you mention the shaking the bag causing the most discomfort but in our case, we seamed more stressed at the pace, which in turn makes one naturally rigid in the first place. An ergonomic specialist would know where the damage is being caused.

3.The soil & grass is probably wet and damp and I suspect that 10kg is easily being exceeded as well as clumping together hence the need for shaking.

4. As the pile go higher so did our arms as we had flatbeds with sides.

Look at it this way.

Take a concrete block weighing the same as a average bag. Have you spot-checked the bags weight during this season to see if 10 kg is the actual figure now being worked in field?

JOG to your garden fence and shake it for 5 seconds at shoulder height over the fence. I am not mentioning the positioning humping & twisting required, as would be the case with the bags. We all know that pulling a bag whilst emptying get one fatigued very quickly.

I suspect even the fittest will feel the effects so therefore it is a manual handling issue. I would also suggest that this is not the typical wear in type of work like a construction worker. There is a significant difference i.e. pace, options, and the occasional bribe to the FLT operator when on price.

I do not think the carrying is the main problem though it does contribute; it is the emptying at speed then immediately lifting and shaking like you suggest.

p.s. I did lose a stone so I guess it did some good at the price of a weakened left shoulder which I have only just started to notice since returning to the gym.

Good luck in your resolution

Jason

Posted By Anthony Slinger
How about offering discounted composting bins and information to try and encourage householders to recycle thier garden waste, reducing the amount left for collection ?

Posted By paul eastell
It was a great invention the wheel.
A couple of years ago somebody decided to fit them to the bottom of bins....Hey presto no more carrying.
Twenty first century a company wants to use bags and graft.

Invest money in wheelie bins (4 times size of the bags), use a conventional bin wagon (up and over), save on time and labour making a collection every fourth week, save on the manual handling caused by the backward move.

Admittedly all the details are not available but on the face of it the arguement is clear cut.