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UNIT VII

Name of the Student

Department, Institutional Affiliation

Course Code: Course Name

Name of the Professor

Due Date
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Task Description

In the video, a man is seen cutting down trees with a machine that is also used to split

logs. When the machine is running, it makes a lot of noise, which is normal for heavy machinery.

When you add the sound of the machine to the sound of the logs being split, you get a noisy

place. This noise can hurt the operator's hearing, so they should wear safety gear like earplugs to

keep their hearing from getting hurt.Log splitting is a physically demanding task that takes a lot

of strength and stamina. The person running the machine must be able to move the heavy logs

into the machine. The tree-cutting machine is made so that the operator doesn't have to do much

work to cut and split the logs. But the operator still needs to know what the machine can do and

what it can't do to make sure it works safely.

The task of cutting down trees with a tree-cutting machine can also be affected by the

weather. To avoid getting too tired from the heat, the operator must stay hydrated and take

breaks. In cold weather, the operator needs to wear the right clothes and take steps to keep from

getting frostbite. It is important to think about these things to make sure that the operator is safe

and healthy.

In the end, splitting logs with a tree-cutting machine is a physically demanding job that

requires skill, knowledge, and safety gear. When the sound of the machine is added to the sound

of the logs being split, the noise can be loud enough to hurt the operator's hearing. Whether it's

hot or cold outside can also change how the task is done. Overall, using machines to cut down

trees has changed the logging business by making it more efficient and less time-consuming. But

when using these machines, it is important to put safety and health first.
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Musculoskeletal Disorder Risk Factors

Risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) can be divided into physical

workplace characteristics, personal factors, and work-related variables. In the event of employing

a tree-cutting equipment for splitting logs, there are various risk variables that should be

discovered and analyzed

Physical Workplace Factors

The use of a tree-cutting machine necessitates repetitive motions of the arms and upper

torso, which can cause overuse injuries including tendinitis and bursitis. Uncomfortable

positions: Getting the logs into the machine may require the operator to assume some unnatural

positions, such as bending or twisting. Both the back and the neck may experience pain if you

maintain these positions for too long.Exposure to excessive vibration, such as that produced by a

tree-cutting equipment, has been linked to the development of repetitive stress injuries (RSIs)

such hand-arm vibration syndrome.

Personal Factors

Age: Because of normal muscle and joint degeneration, older workers may be at a higher

risk of MSDs. Strength and stamina decline with age, making fewer fit workers more vulnerable

to MSDs. Workers who already suffer from conditions like arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome

may be more susceptible to developing an MSD on the job.

Work-related Factors
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Stress: When employees are under a lot of pressure to meet production deadlines, they

may feel compelled to rush through their work, which can increase the likelihood of repetitive

stress injuries. Organizational issues in the workplace, such as a lack of rest periods or job

rotation, have been linked to the onset of repetitive stress injuries (RSIs). Misuse of the tree-

cutting machine and an increase in the risk of MSDs can be avoided with proper training.

The Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) is a useful tool for assessing the dangers of

using a tree-cutter for log splitting in terms of the prevalence of upper-limb disorders. The Rapid

Observational Method for the Analysis of Ergonomic Risk in Repetitive Tasks (RULA) is one

way to do just that. It rates the likelihood of developing MSDs based on the user's arm and trunk

posture (Ranavolo, et al. 2017).

A combination of environmental and occupational factors causes musculoskeletal

problems. Risk factors are affected by the conditions at work. The work environment consists of

the workspace's physical structure, the work rate, and the mass of materials handled. Work

posture and motions are highlighted in the movie as two of the critical risk factors for

musculoskeletal problems in the workplace. A moving force, vibration, and extreme heat are also

potential dangers. Maintaining this working posture for extended periods may cause discomfort.

Posture refers to how a person holds their body. Compression of tendons and nerves can occur

when body parts are at their maximum range of motion (Ranavolo, et al. 2017). Musculoskeletal

diseases can also be caused by an awkward workplace posture, such as hunching your shoulders

and neck. Vibrations weaken tendons and muscles. As the vibration in the video is caused by

power tools, it is confined to a small area. We can use the National Institute for Occupational

Safety and Health (NOSH) lift equation to determine whether or not the machine operator is
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meeting health and safety requirements. We can also determine if he is vulnerable to developing

musculoskeletal disorders due to environmental factors. The recommended weight limit is the

result of the NIOSH lifting equation (RWL)

The recommended weight limit ( RWL)=LC (51)× HM ×VM × DM × AM × FM ×CM

The NIOSH lifting equation is used to identify ergonomic opportunities and

prioritize ergonomic improvement efforts. The equation gives an objective baseline where one

can record ergonomic improvements. The NIOSH lifting equation indicates unsafe working

circumstances for the employee. The way he operates the machinery and the weight of the logs

put him at risk for a variety of musculoskeletal problems (Fox et al., 2019). The man is making

motions because he is lifting heavier objects that are located further away from his operating

position. Due to his job posture, the operator is at risk for musculoskeletal diseases due to his

time spent in a standing position when operating(Iftime et al., 2019).

Quantification of risks

The NIOSH lifting equation indicates a high risk of musculoskeletal disorder for the

subject. For the purpose of this computation, we will use a weight of 50 pounds, with a ceiling of

60 pounds. It is assumed that as the logs have been recently removed from the trees, they are still

relatively green and therefore heavier. Musculoskeletal risks are affected by weight since it

impacts the worker's lifting capacity (Ranavolo, et al. 2017). The dangers may also be revealed

by employing alternative methodologies in the calculation. The fast examination of the upper

extremities is one option. We can tell if someone is using proper posture at work by looking at

their upper limbs quickly.

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Potential for musculoskeletal disorder injury

Body positioning is one of the contributors to injuries. When the body parts are near the

extremes of their range of movement, tendons may stretch. In the case of the video, the

individual is working under extremes, as seen through his body posture(Fox et al., 2019).

Therefore, the body could be exposed to injuries. The objects he is lifting and the position in

which they are placed also pose a risk to musculoskeletal disorders. Another risk issue is the

repetitive movement toward picking the logs.

Recommendations

This document provides suggestions for improving the safety of a worker operating a

tree-cutting machine to split logs, based on the task description supplied. Employees should be

given thorough training on the tree-cutter, including how to operate it safely and how to spot and

avoid any dangers. Use protective gear The employee should wear protective gear such as safety

glasses, hearing protection, gloves, and steel-toed boots to defend against hazards such flying

debris, noise exposure, and foot injuries (Iftime et al., 2019).

Maintain your equipment on a regular basis; for example, you should check the condition

of your tree-cutter and do any necessary repairs or adjustments to keep it in top shape. It is

important to keep an eye on the weather so that the worker does not suffer from heat exhaustion,

dehydration, or hypothermia due to extreme temperatures. Regular breaks should be provided to

reduce worker tiredness and MSDs by allowing the employee to get up and move around. To

lessen the likelihood of overuse injuries from repeated motions, job rotation should be

established. Analyze and manage noise levels: If necessary, the worker should be given earplugs
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or other protective measures to ensure that they are not subjected to unsafe noise levels on the

job. When these precautions are taken, the worker is less likely to sustain an MSD or other injury

when using the tree-cutting machine for chopping logs.

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References

Fox, R. R., Lu, M. L., Occhipinti, E., & Jaeger, M. (2019). Understanding outcome

metrics of the revised NIOSH lifting equation. Applied ergonomics, 81,

102897.

Iftime, M. D., Dumitrascu, A. E., & Ciobanu, V. D. (2019). Chainsaw operators’

exposure to occupational risk factors and incidence of professional diseases

specific to forestry field. International Journal of Occupational Safety and

Ergonomics, (just-accepted), 1- 38.

Ranavolo, A., Varrecchia, T., Rinaldi, M., Silvetti, A., Serrao, M., Conforto, S., &

Draicchio, F. (2017). Mechanical lifting energy consumption in work activities

designed by means of the “revised NIOSH lifting equation”. Industrial health,

55(5), 444-454.