Ergonomics: Injuries Caused by the Working Conditions

The study of occupational health is an important step towards ensuring that people working in BSCI are safe in terms of their health and safety. With the study of ergonomics in BSCI, the way in which professionals handle manual material will be enhanced. This includes the reduction in the risks associated with the way in which manual materials are lifted or lowered in the places of work. The study will also consider the job task variables as well as provide safe lifting practices and provide guidelines. From the study, it was evident that the employees within BSCI have been lifting weights in their places of work without taking into account the necessary precautions. Moreover, there is no clear weight limit that has been put forward by the company to cater to the needs of every worker and reduce their health concerns. This needs to change since the health of the employees and the risks associated with the lifting of heavy loads determine the safety of operations. The maximum acceptable weight or load that all healthy employees should lift over the 8 hours of work at BSCI has not been set. This has caused various issues associated with the musculoskeletal disorders commonly known as MSD which affect the lower back. The lifting index is calculated to provide an estimated level of physical stress and the risk of MSD that each employee can be subjected to during their daily operations (Middlesworth, 2017). The study of the work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) that are associated with lifting and lowering tasks also gave an insight into the possible remedies to work-related injuries. According to NIOSH, setting up the parameters within an organization that guides on the amount of load that an individual can lift has huge importance hence the need for more training on the way of lifting a given load without affecting health. As per the reports of NIOSH, approximately 650000 workers suffer injuries and illnesses which are caused by the repetition of lifting tasks and overexertion annually in the United States alone. Due to this, many companies within the US have incurred huge sums of money approximately $20 billion in compensation and treatment of their employees. This has also been the case with the BSCI. Although the company might not suffer directly in terms of compensation, the study shows that some employees have been taking sick leave to nurse their injuries some of which are directly linked to the injuries they get while working. Back injuries in BSCI have increased in number over the years which have in the process increased the cost of operations due to the money needed to treat the victims hence the need to provide a clear procedure to handle some of the difficulties (Shahu, 2017). It was evident in the study that the cause of the injuries is long hours of repetitive lifting tasks. The existing job designs are also not in conformity with the health needs of the workers. 

Conclusion

From the study of BSCI, it is evident that the company has been experiencing injuries that are caused by the working conditions. This can be corrected by setting up clearly thought procedures and policies that guide workers on the proper way of handling repetitive lifting tasks. On the other hand, BSCI should reorganize its job design to take into consideration injuries in places of work and the metabolic demands of lifting tasks. The roller conveyors should also be introduced to move relevant materials and reduce lifting. Tables with appropriate heights can also be provided to place objects both at the place the object originate from and where they will end up. This provides proper rest periods for the employees. 

References 

Middlesworth, M. (2017). A Step-by-Step Guide to Using the NIOSH Lifting Equation for Single Tasks. Ergonomics Plus , 1. 

Shahu, R. (2017, 12 12). the-niosh-lifting-equation-for-manual-lifting-and-its-applications-2165-7556-1000159.php?aid=71188 . Retrieved from https://www.omicsonline.org: https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/the-niosh-lifting-equation-for-manual-lifting-and-its-applications-2165-7556-1000159.php?aid=71188 

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