How does job design/redesign reduce the risk for back injury due to MMH?
The design or redesign of jobs involving MMH should be approached in the following stages: • eliminate heavy MMH • decrease MMH demands • reduce stressful body movements • pace of work and rest breaks • improve environmental conditions How do you eliminate heavy MMH? Consider using powered or mechanical handling systems if eliminating MMH tasks completely is not possible. Mechanical aids lower the risk for back injury substantially by reducing the worker’s physical effort required to handle heavy objects. Manual handling such as lifting and carrying can be easier and safer if mechanized by using lift tables, conveyors, yokes or trucks. Gravity dumps and chutes can help in disposing of materials. Mechanical aids also reduce the need to select workers for the task, but it is essential that the worker is properly trained in the safe use of the available equipment. How can we decrease MMH demands? Where possible, use mechanical aids. The next step is to decrease the manual material handlin
