ADDITIONAL TASK – ERGONOMICS LAB
1. Describe the selected workplace and identify 5 hazards related to ergonomics that may occur
at it.
The hospital was selected as a workplace. Five hazards that may occur at a hospital:
Manual handling: Healthcare workers are often required to lift, carry, push, pull, and lower
patients, equipment and supplies. This can put a strain on their backs, shoulders, and wrists. Also
lifting heavy objects incorrectly will increase the risk of injuries.
Repetitive motions: Healthcare workers often perform repetitive motions throughout their
workday, such as charting, typing, using medical equipment and typing on computers. This can lead
to fatigue, discomfort, and back pain.
Awkward postures: Healthcare workers often have to work in awkward postures to care for
patients. This may include bending, twisting, reaching up, or crouching. This can lead to muscle
strain, stiffness, and discomfort.
Vibration: Healthcare workers may be influenced by vibration from equipment, such as
portable X-ray machines and surgical tools. This can damage the nervous system.
Cold temperatures: Healthcare workers may be working in cold environments, such as
operating rooms and patient rooms. This can increase the risk of injuries.
2. Make a risk assessment for each of these hazards using the matrix below. Determine the
level of risk (very low, low, moderate, high, critical).
Source: https://www.sitesafe.org.nz/guides--resources/practical-safety-advice/risk-control/
Manual Handling: Likelihood - Possibly could happen; Severity – Moderate; Risk Score:
Moderate.
Suggestions on how to avoid: Avoid lifting heavy objects alone. Use proper lifting techniques.
Repetitive Motions: Likelihood - Very likely to happen; Severity – Moderate; Risk Score: High
Suggestions on how to avoid: Take breaks from repetitive tasks. Use ergonomic equipment, such as
keyboards and mice, to reduce the strain on the wrists.
Awkward Postures: Likelihood - Possibly could happen; Severity – Moderate; Risk Score:
Moderate
Suggestions on how to avoid: Adjust workstations and work areas to maintain good posture. Take
regular breaks from tasks that require awkward postures. Use proper body positions when working.
Vibration: Likelihood - Unlikely to happen; Severity - Minor; Risk Score: Low
Suggestions on how to avoid: Minimize impact to vibration by using special equipment or methods.
Schedule regular breaks for workers who are affected by vibration.
Cold Temperatures: Likelihood - Possibly could happen; Severity - Minor; Risk Score: Low
Suggestions on how to avoid: Maintain comfortable temperatures in work areas. Provide workers
with warm clothing and protective clothes, such as gloves and hats. Take regular breaks to warm up
in a heated area.
3. Indicate 3 actions that can be taken to mitigate the effects of the hazard with the highest risk
score.
The hazards with the highest risk scores are manual handling, repetitive motions and awkward
postures. They are likely to occur and could have serious consequences. As a result, it is important to:
1. Provide ergonomic training to all workers on how to perform tasks that involve repetitive motions.
It will teach them how to perform tasks with proper posture and how to rest effectively. This training
can help to reduce the risk of injuries.
2. Use ergonomic equipment, such as keyboards and mice, to reduce the strain on the wrists. It is
designed to fit the natural contours of the body and to reduce stress on the joints and muscles. Using
ergonomic equipment can help to reduce the risk of motion injuries.
3. Modify work tasks: Redesign work processes and duties to minimize the need for manual lifting
and transferring, such as having staff work in pairs to lift patients.
Conduct regular ergonomic surveys to identify potential hazards. This can involve reviewing
employee feedback, conducting observations, and measuring workplace factors such as temperature,
lighting, and noise levels. Regular ergonomic audits can help to ensure that workstations and
workspaces are maintained in a safe and ergonomically sound condition.
4. Write conclusions for your assessment.
Ergonomic risks can have a significant impact on the well-being of healthcare workers, leading to
pain and reduced productivity. Identifying and managing ergonomic risks in hospitals is crucial to
prevent injuries and create a safe and healthy working environment. A risk assessment performed
here identified five potential ergonomic hazards, with manual lifting and carrying posing the greatest
risk. Implementing effective risk reduction techniques, such as training, ergonomic lifting devices and
task modification, is essential to eliminate these risks and protect healthcare workers.
By prioritizing safety and taking preventative measures, hospitals can promote the well-being of
their employees, ensuring that they can continue to provide good healthcare without harming their
health.
