Ergonomics
Identify and evaluate sustainable and effective
Chapter 4: Repetitive Task Design and Risk Assessment
Overview
- Dictum “Practice makes perfect”—Diary and
Autobiography John Adams
- “Perfect practice makes perfect”
- Repetitive tasks can lead to boredom which may
cause job dissatisfaction and eventually spawn
mistakes and errors
- The genesis of Ergonomics as a philosophical
concept of work-related physical symptoms was
first introduced in 1857 by Wojciech
Jastrzebowski (Polish Biologist)
- Ergonomics focuses on the human body and its
movement in relation to its environment as it
interacts in work and everyday life.
- The basic concept is to provide methods,
processes and designs to promote the healthy
well-being of humans to maximize the overall
potentials of the workspace, equipment and
furniture.
2 Major Concern in Promoting Safe and Healthy
Workplace
1. Psychological and Psychosocial
- Concerned with boredom when work is
repetitive
2. Physical
- Deals with the environment that can be the
source of hazards
o Biological Hazards- existence of
substances that can pose a threat to the
health and well-being of humans and
another living organism.
o Chemical Hazards- synthetic in nature
that can be harmful to man and
environment
o Physical Hazards- manifest in the
environment where workforce is
exposed to extreme sound, height,
pressure and even radiation.
o Safety Hazards- present in unsafe
working areas such as uneven floors,
damaged carpets and chipped tiles.
o Ergonomics Hazards- results of factors
that affect the muscoskeletal systems
due to inefficient designs of workplace,
manner of handling and operating
equipment and furniture and incorrect
posture
Importance of Risk Assessment
- Is a methodical, well-planned, and systematic
process in establishing the identification of
hazards and evaluating their interrelationship
with the risk within the workplace.
Kind of Risks
1. Accidents
- Unplanned events that may result in damage to
property or equipment or even loss of life
2. Hazards
- Potential incidents that may cause harm
3. Risks
- Existence of negative incidents that may result
from hazards
Importance of Risk Assessment
1. Identify and evaluate health and safety issues in
the workplace
2.
measures to avert accidents and hazards
3. Ensure that controls are known and implemented
Ways to Reduce Hazards and Risk in Workplace
1. Evaluate and Plan Workspace
2. Development of a Safety Plan to Control
Hazards
3. Regular Inspection and Maintenance of
Workplace
4. Training the workforce
5. Re-tooling the workforce
6. Documentation of Incidents
7. Records Maintenance
4 Main Programs in Facilities Maintenance
1. Routine Maintenance
- Focus on general care of the facilities
(daily/weekly)
2. Preventive Maintenance
- Regular interval with functioning equipment,
fixtures and furniture with an end goal of
deterring failure that will affect the operation of
the facilities
3. Scheduled Maintenance
- Task is provided with specific dates and
deadlines to a unit or an individual (planned
shutdown of a part of facility)
4. Emergency Maintenance
- Reactive activity to address the failure or
breakdown of equipment or the prevention of a
space or facility that may result in a threat to
lives, property and its usability
General Task for Hospitality Facilities
1. Manual Handling
2. Movements and Maneuvers
- Several motions involved in delivering goods
and services
3. Operating Machinery and Equipment
- The movement of the parts creates sufficient
motion that may cause injury to people
4. Exposure to Hazardous Substances and
Dangerous Goods
- Cleaning agents, materials used in refurbishing
surfaces and furniture
5. Electrical Risks
- Most common source of electrical risk is from
electrical cords that are damaged and frayed,
overload outlets and water leaks
6. Extreme Environmental Conditions
- Temperature of the workspace may result in heat
stress, heatstroke and even hypothermia
7. Exposure to Loud Noise
8. Cash Handling
9. Crashes and Collision
- These become apparent in transporting goods
and guest from airports to their accommodations
and other destination point.
10. Work Violence, Sexual Harassment and Stress
- Is an unfortunate reality. The repercussions of
these include psychological injuries that may
cause breakdown and physical injuries at some
point