As a result of the successful implementation of PErforM in the coal mining industry, the program was modified for use in the civil construction industry. PECivCon was funded by WHSQ and was run by staff from the University of Queensland (School of Human Movement Studies) and WHSQ. The following examples illustrate how injury occurs when the load on the musculoskeletal system is greater than the tissue's capacity to withstand the force.
In the third example, uncomfortable postures, especially if they are maintained for a long time, can lead to changes in the mechanical properties of the tissues. For example, the small tissues of the hand can be damaged by relatively low forces. This can lead to blood pooling and a lack of blood supply to some parts of the body and increase the risk of injury.
Exposure to hand/arm vibration mainly damages the vascular and nerve tissue, mostly of the hand and fingers. It is important to be able to identify all risk factors and their cause so that appropriate controls can be developed. It will also increase acceptance of the checks and changes that can be made to the job.
Completing the risk assessment form provides a record of the risk assessment and should be kept on file.
Effective controls
The PerforM risk assessment tool will help you record relevant information about the task, identify the risk factors of the manual tasks, assess the level of exposure, develop appropriate controls and prioritize the tasks that create the highest risk for your employees. The reduction of risk requires the successful implementation of controls which do not introduce new risk factors into the workplace. Encouraging work teams to participate throughout the control strategy process is one way to ensure that these elements are taken into account.
Successful implementation
The organizational climate at the time of implementation must also be taken into account, as factors such as organizational activities, workload demand, resources (human and financial) and workforce presence (e.g. the absence of key players) can have an impact on the success of implementation.
Managing potential new risk factors
Cargo handling design, which includes the characteristics of the cargo and the method of handling. Work organization, which includes issues such as the length of the shift, how often the task is performed, and the number of workers assigned to the task, and the pace of work. Implementing an effective manual task risk management program also requires employees to be able to identify hazardous manual tasks and to be aware of the aspects of manual tasks that increase the risk of injury.
The case studies in Appendix of the handbook demonstrate the application of the PERforM risk assessment tool in the civil construction industry. Indicate on the body map which area(s) of the body you feel are affected by the task. The first phase of the risk assessment tool is useful for thinking about the task and breaking it down to identify any significant risk factors.
The second phase of the risk assessment tool involves identifying the body areas affected by the task, assessing risk factors and recording recommendations for risk control. The body map prompts the assessor to think about all areas of the body that may be affected by the tasks (e.g. the areas that become tired, sore or uncomfortable). The risk factor section located to the left of the body map requires the rater to rate the severity of each risk factor for each affected body region on a scale of 5.
In the example task analyzed above, the red dots have been used to indicate the risk level of each of the five risk factors for the lower back and shoulders. In particular, the compaction of the sand base in trenches or around manholes is an important part of ensuring the integrity of pavements. Conditions that make this task awkward and uncomfortable are the wet sand, the vibration of the needle, and the repeatability and physical effort required to retrieve the needle from the sand.
Provide more vibrating equipment for additional workers to perform the task, which would shorten the duration of the task if only one worker performed the task. General description: The construction of footpaths, driveways and curbs and canals is one of the primary duties of the civil construction crews. Repetition and duration: Repeated driving of the pegs into the ground and formwork on the pegs (many nails).
The head of the peg can also be modified to provide a larger hammering surface. The shafts are very cramped when personnel have to work in them and require a crouched posture when leaning into them from road level - this can result in hand injuries (e.g. crushing from the weight of the rear manhole cover, spider bites or needle sticks). Positions: crouched positions when lifting the pit covers, crouching into the pit from road level and in the closed area of the pit if cave entry is required.
National Code of Practice for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders from the Performance of Manual Tasks at Work.
