Ergonomics equipment

The effects of wearing respirators can be divided into two the burden placed directly on the user and compatibility with other equipment. User burdens are divided into three physiological, psychological and ergonomic. Equipment compatibility is really an ergonomic issue, but is usually considered in its own right because of its importance to the military user. 

Dentists are at risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. They experience repetitive hand movements, vibrating tools, and fixed and awkward posturing. Neck, back, hand, and wrist injuries are common. Ergonomic equipment is available for dentists, including specially designed hand instruments, syringes and dispensers, lighting, ms nification tools, and patient chairs. 

Purchasing. This must be coordinated to ensure that the proper ergonomic equipment is obtained. In many cases, ergonomic-related equipment must be purchased for workstations or material handling. It is important to select quality equipment. There are many vendors that make quality equipment, and there are others that only presume to do so. A wise investment must be preceded by a search for the best equipment. Thoughtful purchasing can minimize or reduce any risks of poor selection. State-of-the-art devices will definitely make jobs easier. 

Operating, test, maintenance, and emergency procedures (e.g., human error analyses of operator functions, tasks and requiranents, ergonomics, equipment layout and lighting, noise, life support requiranents, egress)... 

As new equipment becomes available and insights about ergonomics and human factors become available, we should review new and existing facilities to optimize the person-machine interface. 

Can the equipment or process be simplified, be made mistake proof, or at least mistake tolerant, by applying ergonomic/hu-man factors principles ... 

The first component of the systems approach to error reduction is the optimization of human performance by designing the system to support human strengths and minimize the effects of human limitations. The hiunan factors engineering and ergonomics (HFE/E) approach described in Section 2.7 of Chapter 2 indicates some of the techniques available. Design data from the human factors literature for areas such as equipment, procedures, and the human-machine interface are available to support the designer in the optimization process. In addition the analytical techniques described in Chapter 4 (e.g., task analysis) can be used in the development of the design. 

These include identification of process equipment and instruments, interpretation of the meaning of their values and trends, navigation through different VDU pages by means of a selection menu, etc. The common feature of these tasks is handling the display system to search and locate relevant process data. In this respect, "classical" ergonomics checklists (see Chapter 4) are very useful in facilitating performance of such tasks. 

Equipment should be chosen so, that it can be easily seen, wheather it has been installed correctly or wheather it is in the open or shut position. This refers to ergonomics of the plant. Also clear explanation of the chemistry involved in the process helps operating personnel to identify possible hazards. 

This safety audit is used for identifying inputs and material flows, processes and intermediates, and final products - but with special attention paid to human-material/process/equipment interactions that could result in (a) sudden and accidental releases/spills, (b) mechanical failure-based injuries, and (c) physical injuries - cuts, abrasions, and so on, as well as ergonomic hazards. Additional sources of adverse effects/safety problem areas are records/ knowledge of in-plant accidents/near misses, equipment failures, customer complaints, inadequate secondary prevention/safety procedures and equipment (including components that can be rendered non-operable upon unanticipated events), and inadequacies in suppliers of material and equipment or maintenance services. 

Ergonomics is a major concern with using isolators. There are limited choices in such things as isolator heights and isolator gloves, and the use of this equipment over an extended period of time can cause ergonomic difficulties. Some of these issues and strategies to address them are discussed below. 

Maintenance must sometimes be performed at elevated heights, within confined spaces, and in situations with challenging ergonomic conditions. Opening equipment that has not been properly prepared may have potential to release chemicals or electrical or mechanical energy. Hazards that exist in other parts of the process could be transported to areas where maintenance is underway, if the systems have not been suitably isolated or fully cleared of residual chemicals. 

Equipment used for skiing and snowboarding have become much more lighter and ergonomic. The bottom of skies are waxed to deorease Motion. In mountain climbing, tools are now made very strong, light and resistant to the natural elements suoh as wind, sun and the rain. 

These examples along with others show that the causes of these incidents were not only because of ergonomic factors but also because of the failure of the equipment or some other unknown reasons. The breakdown of these incidents was probably a lack of safety measures for the plant workers and also to the nearby communities. 

The primary considerations with respeci to safety are the following (1) identifying 2-3 levels of relief to protect the equipment from over-pressurizing (2) identifying the classification of the room and the code of the equipment needed based on the solvent systems used in the process (3) the ergonomics of solids handling associated with... 

Employee safety and ergonomics Material, equipment, and personnel flow GMP requirements Cross-contamination risks Flexibility of the facility. 

---