Common sense in the workplace
Original article date: November 1999
We all know that ergonomics in the workplace is important. And you can leave the technicalities to the suppliers, as Bott tells David Norris
There may be companies which are concerned only with avoiding prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive, with little regard for the well-being of their workforce. But more and more British workplaces are seeing the benefits of an ergonomically efficient working environment, according to storage and workshop hardware specialist Bott. And as one of the company’s customers, Blue Circle, says: “If your workforce knows that a system has been designed around them rather than being imposed on them, they are far more willing to give their best and be loyal to the company.”
Injury potential can be minimised in several ways. Make production and finding equipment easier, minimising risk of strain or direct injury. Provide a clear, visual map of the workplace for ease of equipment and tool location and re-location (and define work and storage areas). Make sure potential hazards are more than obvious. And make certain that, by use of intelligent, expedient storage and work areas, the space around machinery is left clear and uncluttered.
Even flooring is a potential hazard: it must be carefully designed for minimum operator fatigue and maximum accident prevention.
Bott equipment can be colour-coded if required, not only enhancing the quality of the visual map in the workplace but also making sure that certain colours denote certain types of hazard. The silhouetting of toolboards can, like colour-coding, make tool and equipment location and re-location easy, highlighting any that are missing or left lying around to provide potential hazards.
Mobile, adjustable storage facilities of varying shapes and sizes enable a workshop which is safe and highly organised to be taken to the task, rather than the worker having to continually waste down-time by fetching equipment from a static source.
Look at security as well. Mechanisms such as safety triggers make certain that drawers do not suddenly open whilst static or in transit. And of course the old favourite of ergonomists, seating: ensure that where machine fitters and mechanics have to stoop or work at low heights or where operators have to stand for long periods by a machine or workbench, the design makes for maximum comfort and maximum adjustment.
- Bott
November 1999