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#1 Posted : 25 November 2008 12:39:00(UTC)
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Posted By Robert_N They are picking mixed weight cartons up from a conveyor which is set about waist height and in some cases they are then putting them on to their shoulder to move a short distance. I understand that I must review the task and explore the installation of lifting aids and so on but for the short term would this be best to stop and why? The brick wall I am hitting with this and other issues are “We have been doing this for ages so why change now” Many thanks for your help
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#2 Posted : 25 November 2008 12:49:00(UTC)
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Posted By Mike DF In the short term would check that they have had traceable manual handling training and are using correct methods to get the load onto the shoulder. You will also need to carry out a manual handling assessment and involve members of the team. Can the conveyor be re-routed to take the goods straight to where they need to go?
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#3 Posted : 25 November 2008 12:51:00(UTC)
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Posted By Dominic Smyth As said a manual handling risk assessment would be required taking into consideration the following- Task-the individual- the load- the environment in which they are working and any other factors that could be an issue as well
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#4 Posted : 25 November 2008 13:18:00(UTC)
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Posted By Jane Blunt Working from first principles..... Having a load acting through the shoulder does not seem necessarily to be a bad thing. It is close to the spine and it removes the possibility of stooping forwards over the load. However, it can introduce a sideways bend of the spine, which I imagine is not such a good thing, and getting the object onto the shoulder correctly is crucial. Walking with a load slung from or resting on the shoulder is definitely easier than trying to stagger along clasping it in front of you. Think about all the shoulder bags you see. Jane
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#5 Posted : 25 November 2008 13:45:00(UTC)
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Posted By David Bannister When I was young I worked in a warehouse where the method of moving rolls of fabric around was to hoist them on to a shoulder and carry, either from the delivery vehicle to the storage area or vise versa to a customers vehicle. Once I'd mastered the trick of pivoting the roll on my knee and flick up on to the shoulder it became quite easy. A week or so in to the job the soreness on the upper shoulder went and I developed a muscular upper body. Of course, H&S hadn't been invented yet but we survived. If I have to carry a weight at home this is still my preferred method. Sadly the musclulature is now obscured by my winter insulation and insurance against famine. Provided the lift to and lower from shoulder height is done well, the solution your people have come up with may be OK.
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#6 Posted : 25 November 2008 16:19:00(UTC)
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Posted By Fornhelper Robert It may be that this is the best method of carrying / lifting. Is there a history of lifting injuries? Is the load excessive? Have concerns about the way the work is being carried out being raised? Would lifting aids exacerbate the problem (e.g. need to bend over to stack loads on / off lifting aids)? Just because people are 'lifting' doesn't make the activity inherently unsafe (midwifes lift babies, postmen carry mail) - so rather than try and stop the activity why not assess it and determine if it is safe? Basically don't change things for changes sake - the old adage 'if it aint broken then don't fix it' sometimes has a ring of truth to it. Regards FH
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