In essence, the exchange rate is defined as the increase or decrease in certain accepted noise level standards. Apparently, this occurs at the time when permissible exposure of the employee is halved or doubled correspondingly. Many organizations propose the usage of the 3db rate rather than the 5db rate. Supposedly, the environment is a considerable factor when designing the operational level of any firm. The paper highlights the merits accrued from using either of the strategies in the exchange rate (Johnesee, 2015). Nonetheless, the occupational exposure limits (OELs) are often given a specific duration as permitted exposure by various levels. Additionally, the system depends on two factors which include criterion level and the exchange rate of the strategy.
MERITS OF BOTH METHODS
Apparently, the proposed exchange rate that will see the use of 5-dBA rather than 3-dBA mostly depends on the questionable studies and clarification of the studies. According to research, 5dBA strategy is more appropriate in measuring the impulse impact of the noise in a firm (Johnesee, 2015). Essentially, the use of the of the 3-dBA exchange rate is not used in such kind of noise reduction campaign.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Most organizations consider the 3-dBA strategy to be important as is more stringent than the 5-dBA system. Notably, this is because, for some instances, the maximum duration of 100-dBA noise exposure in this system is recorded in 15 minutes. Nonetheless, many experts recognize the availability of the 3-dBA as a logical rule for sound and noise control (Suter, 2017). Apparently, it is argued that the allowable exposure time is halved whenever there is doubling of the level sound.
METHODS TO BE USED IN IDENTIFYING THE TASK THAT PRESENT MORE RISK FOR REPETITIVE MOTION INJURIES
In business organizations, workers are always faced with challenges and exposure to risk factors. The following methods are likely to be used by many firms to identify a task that would present the greatest risk for repetitive motion injuries.
Conducting a tour of the company
In many instances, employees are subjected to various factors that are likely to put them in danger. Conducting a tour of the company would help identify problems such as employees performing tasks that involve long reaches, conducting some motions without being given time to relax, and employees being exposed to surfaces that are too high or too low. Such conditions are subject to observations. By visiting the specified firm, one will be in a position to take note of the situation at the place.
Conducting a Questionnaire
This can be in the form of question and answer technique where employees would be required to fill the various challenges they face regarding the repetitive motion injuries. Apparently, this will enable one to identify different problems at a go that are experienced by the employees.
HOW TO ESTABLISH AN ERGONOMICS PROGRAM TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES
In essence, an ergonomic program can help a firm prevent small and large injuries that are exposed to employees in the workplace. Additionally, such injuries are painful to workers and so expensive to employers. Therefore, an effective ergonomic program is critical to ensure a smooth operation of both employees and management department. Notably, to start this program one should adhere to the following.
Discover the area or task that is likely to produce most injuries
Apparently, to get started with an ergonomic program, it is important that one identifies the area that is likely to cause a lot of damage to the employees. Notably, this can be done by conducting trending based on the categories of occurrences the employees have been experiencing. Additionally, there should be an observation of the type of work the employees were doing in the time of injuries (Hedge, Puleio, 2014). Nonetheless, it is important to identify, the frequently injured body part to know the best solution for such incidents. Supposedly, looking at the age of the workers would be important to know whether you are dealing with young are older works.
Observe the trending areas
Essentially, after identifying the area, it would be important for one to hit the field. Notably, this would be done through walking inside the firm and observe there kind of work, posture, and facilities used in normal operations. In case the workers are carrying luggage on their heads, twisting their backs, and reaching far from their bodies then this would be a problem to be curbed.
Manager Buy-In and Feedbacks
It would be essential if there is an identification of a more safety conscious and highlight to them that you are coming up with an ergonomic improvement strategy. Tell them to organize various observations in the firm and email the feedbacks to you (Hedge, Puleio, 2014). Such feedbacks would be important as it will help you build your case in coming up with a complete program.
Find pieces of ergonomic puzzle
Collect any information and match them together. Take the various feedbacks and try fixing them to come up with a sounding solution to these problems.
Prioritize the Risks
List the available risks depending on the frequency of their occurrence. Additionally, assemble the same list and rank it from the highest level of injuries to the lowest.
Build a Business Case
One should come up with a problem and solve it. Additionally, it is important to explain why it is important to be corrected. Look for various solutions on the internet and try to fix them.
Continuous Improvement
This process is performed at least annually whenever there is a change in the workplace. Developing an ergonomic plan helps in gaining more results especially when action and executions are put in place (Hedge, Puleio, 2014). Notably, setting up a plan and improving it will, therefore, lower the rate of injuries in a firm.
GREATEST OBSTACLES IN ESTABLISHING THE ERGONOMICS PROGRAM
Limited Time
Apparently, designing a more effective ergonomic program requires a lot of time. Due to the limited time, one may have in conducting the initial process; it would be impossible to come up with an effective strategy.
Management Concerns
Essentially, most management is not willing to cooperate with the relevant authority in coming up with an effective ergonomics program. This hinders the whole procedure of establishing the risks employees are likely to encounter in a firm.
References
Hedge, A., & Puleio, J. (2014, September). Proactive Office Ergonomics Really Works. In Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting (Vol. 58, No. 1, pp. 482-486). Sage CA: Los Angeles, CA: SAGE Publications.
Johnesee, K. (2015). Noise Charaterization and Exposure of Indoor Hockey Officials (Doctoral dissertation, Colorado State University. Libraries).
Suter, A. H. (2017, August). Occupational Hearing Loss from Non-Gaussian Noise. In Seminars in Hearing (Vol. 38, No. 03, pp. 225-262). Thieme Medical Publishers.
