Ergonomics design for Push Trolley (System on wheel, managed by Pushing)
As per HSE, Pushing and pulling of loads is a way to avoid manual lifting and carrying of objects such as by putting the load on a trolley.
Why its important to study? and even design?
Statistics can be seen below that give you an idea of how important it is to eliminate or reduce pushing and pulling risk factors.
- 11% of manual handling – related RIDDOR accidents investigated by HSE involved pushing and pulling.
- The most frequently reported site of injury was the back muscle injury (44%).
- Followed by the upper limbs (shoulder, arms, wrist and hand) accounted for 28.6%.
- 12% more accidents involved pulling than pushing (where the activity could be identified within the reports).
- 61% of accidents involved pushing and pulling objects that were not supported on wheels (e.g. bales, desks etc.)
- 35% of pushing and pulling accidents involved wheeled objects!
IS there any Regulation?
Yes, we have to comply with the risk assessment requirements set out in the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 as well as the requirement in the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (as amended) (MHOR) to carry out a risk assessment on manual handling tasks.
So, Tell me about design now 🙂
Following are the quick tips, then my next post will talk more in details.
- Choose PUSHING a load instead of PULLING it whenever possible
- Place your hands at the correct height.
- Followings are weight (push or pull) to stop the load! will cover this in next post.
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Men
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women
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For stopping or starting a load
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20 kg (ie about 200 Newtons)
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15 kg (ie about 150 Newtons)
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For keeping load in motion
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10 kg (ie about 100 Newtons)
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7 kg (ie about 70 Newtons)
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