Repetitive jobs

Planner experience Depending upon the background of the planner, experience is usually the best method of estimating a non-repetitive job. Historical actuals are usually better for repetitive jobs. In order to utilize experience, it is desirable that the planner has done the work before or experienced execution of similar work as a craftsperson, supervisor, engineer, or planner. 

Historical averages While average times for the same repetitive job can be used for control purposes, the time does not represent an engineered standard. 

Historical data Historical data is an improvement over the basic estimating approach in that it does represent the average time required for repetitive jobs. The method for development of data is rather simple in that work orders are assembled for repetitive maintenance work and average times are derived for various categories or natural groupings of work. This could be for jobs of short duration, or the technique could be applied to the same type of jobs, such as pump overhauls. 

It has been shown that in the dynamic tasks involving upper extremities, the posture of the hand itself has very little predictive power for the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. Rather, it is the velocity and acceleration of the joint that significantly differentiate the musculoskeletal disorders risk levels (Schoenmarklin and Marras 1990). This is because the tendon force, which is a risk factor of musculoskeletal disorders, is affected by wrist acceleration. The acceleration of the wrist in a dynamic task requires transmission of the forearm forces to the tendons. Some of this force is lost to friction against the ligaments and bones in the carpal tunnel. This frictional force can irritate the tendons synovial membranes and cause tenosynovitis or carpal tunnel syndrom (CTS). These new research results clearly demonstrate the importance of dynamic components in assessing CTD risk of highly repetitive jobs. 

The Cahfornia Ergonomic Standard (see website http //www.dir.ca.gov/1itle8/5110.html) went into effect on July 3, 1997. The standard targets jobs where a repetitive motion injury (RMI) has occurred and the injury can be determined to be work related and at a repetitive job. The injury must have been diagnosed by a physician. The three main elements of the CaUfomia standard are work site evaluation, control of exposures that have caused RMIs, and employee training. The exact language of the standard has been undergoing review in the CaUfomia judicial system. 

Select benchmark jobs Review past historical data from work orders tmd select representative jobs that are normtdly performed by the craft groups. Specitd attention should be paid to determine the 20% of total jobs (or types of work) that represent 80% of the available craft manpower. Focus on determining repetitive jobs where possible in all craft areas. 

The types of tasks covered in this chapter are usually organized in such a way that they expose the individual to an imbalance between demands and resources as implied earlier. For instance, Levi, Frankenhaeuser, and Gardell (1982) describe how stress is usually linked to overstimulation and overload, such as a very high work pace, conflicting demands, too much responsibility, or problems too complex to solve. They also describe how stress may occur due to underload or lack of stimulation. This may happen in very simple, repetitive jobs as well as in uneventfiil, monotonous monitoring tasks. 

The aim of this study was to provide more information on the role of psychological stress and physical load in the development of muscle tension and neck-shoulder problems among women in a demanding and repetitive job with little possibility to influence the pace and content ofthe work. Almost 70% of the cashiers suffered fiom neck-shoulder pain. In summary, the results fiom... 

Fredrikson, et al., 1989 Johansson et al., 1978 Melin Lundberg, 1997 Veiersted et al., 1993), and lack of preparedness for job demands (Kaiasek, 1979 Theorell, 1989) are assoeiated with elevated health risks. For example, workers in repetitive jobs (Johansson et al., 1978 Melin, Lundberg, Soderiund, Granqvist, 1999) fell to shut down their stress responses after work. Due to multiple role responsibilities, female workers seem to be at particular risk (Lundberg, 1996). 

In routine or repetitive jobs with inherent hazards, the employee is exposed repeatedly to hazards. For example, exposures to high levels of noise over a period of time will affect the hearing of a worker. 

Can the necessity of doing the job, or the frequency of performing the job, be reduced Often, maintenance jobs requiring frequent service or repair of equipment are hazardous. To reduce the necessity of such a repetitive job, ask what can be done to eliminate the cause or condition that makes excessive repair or service necessary. For example, a guard keeps vibrating loose on a piece of equipment, thereby requiring reinstallation. Different types of bolts and nuts, or some other type of fasteners, may eliminate the problem. 

An excessively low level of arousal will lead to boredom. This is usually found in repetitive jobs devoid of any change (production lines with short activity cycles) and especially in situations where the following factors come into play ... 

A repair or service job may have to be repeated because a condition needs correction again and again. To reduce the need for such a repetitive job, find out what can be done to eliminate the cause of the condition that makes excessive repairs necessary. 

Repetitive shutdown work This type of work is developed by experienced maintenance and operations supervision based on prior shutdown experience, job knowledge, and required shutdown preventive maintenance tasks. Each agreed-upon job is assigned an annual work order number frequency, established, work order plans written, and is entered in the work order log. The handling of repetitive work orders will be the same as non-repetitive work orders, except one copy of the work plan will be substituted for the first copy of the work order. 

So when we talk about federal agencies starting to coordinate with each other, let s all speak up and say that effective coordination does not mean the elimination of all repetition and overlap. To do so would guarantee that all the research that s necessary does not get done. The current reality, however, is that all federal agencies are still coping with GPRA. How can we remind everyone of the need for basic research even when its potential applications are not evident now Other forces also continue at play that make the job even harder. Research and development must continue to provide economic competitiveness and profits and... 

Tiny machines such as Zettl s oscillator may be useful on their own but also in forming the components of more sophisticated instruments such as nanobots. Robotic automation is commonly employed in industrial factories to do jobs that require repetition or extreme precision, such as spot welding. Nanobots would have the added benefit of being able to function in otherwise inaccessibly small locations. Tasks for nanobots include scanning a load-bearing surface and looking for signs of structural failure that would be impossible for a human inspector to see. 

Onerous Tasks Every profession has its mundane tasks that regular staff put off doing. Frequently, these are the jobs that temporaries are brought in to handle. You may find your day filled with boring, repetitive work that presents litde challenge. 

Robots are best suited (in their present form) for tedious, repetitive and humanly-hazardous jobs. Tablet analysis, immunoassay determinations, polymer solubility, etc are ideal applications. Less routine perhaps, but just as tedious, are studies of enzyme action and activity which require variation in reagents and perhaps incubation timing, the "optimisation of chemical reactions or... 

Job analysis needed for repetitive motion, biochemical stresses, etc. can machines take... 

The percentage of installed equipment method as described in Chap. 6 is a quick procedure for preliminary or order-of-magnitude type of cost estimates. In the hands of experienced estimators it can be a reasonably accurate method, particularly on repetitive type units. It is not recommended on alteration jobs or on projects where the total installed equipment is less than 100,000. 

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