This case study shows a worker handling several stacks of large sheets from a weigh table to a jogging table. Before reading this, it may be useful to read the "try it out" overview if you have not already.
Paper jogging video.
A worker jogging large paper sheets.
Before you begin the assessment, watch the video for a few minutes to become familiar with the task and view the task from different angles.
Hover over individual rows for an explanation of each risk score.
Arm movements are frequent, but there are regular pauses between handling and when operating the machines.
About 6 stacks of sheets are handled within a 90 second cycle time.
Each stack lifted weighs about 7kg (3.5 kg in each hand) and is held in a pinch grip. The worker also reports that a strong pinch force is required to lift the bundles. The force is applied for a part of the time (i.e. 15- 30%), and so this factor is given a Red 9 score.
While the worker occasionally looks down at the sheets, the head/neck is held mainly upright and not bent for any significant period of time.
While there are occasions when the worker bends forward slightly, this is not more than 20°. This is scored Green 0.
The elbows are raised out to about chest height for a part of the time when handling the sheets. This is due to the width of the sheets.
The wrists are deviated and bent when fanning the sheets at the beginning of the lift. However, this is only for a very small part of the cycle time (less than 15%) and so an intermediate score of Amber 0.5 is given.
A pinch grip is used for a part of the time to handle the sheets.
In addition to the formal breaks, the worker can take frequent short breaks about every minute when the machines are in use. For this reason, the score is Green 0.
The worker sets their own pace and reports that it is not difficult to keep up with the work.
The work is carried out in a well lit environment, and there are no other reported issues.
The task score, calculated for each arm separately, is the sum of the scores of all the risk factors.
3 + 0 + 9 + 0 + 0 + 2 + 0.5 + 1 + 0 + 0 + 0 = 15.5
If there is no task rotation, the task is performed for more than 8 hours per day. The duration multiplier is 1.5.
The exposure score, calculated for each arm separately, is found by multiplying the task score by the duration multiplier.
15.5 x 1.5 = 23.25
The exposure score can be interpreted using the table of exposure levels.
Height adjustable tables (possibly self levelling) set between the weigh table and the jogging machine might allow the worker to drag the sheets across rather than lift them with a forceful pinch grip.
The introduction of air blowers is sometimes helpful to reduce the amount of jogging (and knocking up) of the paper stacks. Regular task rotation could reduce exposure to forceful gripping of the paper stacks.
