Ergonomics and Human Factors 2012 International Conference - Esme Shanley Presentation

7/31/2019 Ergonomics and Human Factors 2012 International Conference - Esme Shanley Presentation

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Working Late...

Caring for animal care workers


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Who are we?

Esme ShanleyResearcher, Checkland Kindleysides

Elaine Yolande Williams

Research Associate, Loughborough Design School

Diane GyiReader in Health Ergonomics and Design,

Loughborough Design School

Roger HaslamProfessor of Ergonomics, Loughborough Design School

Alistair GibbProfessor of Construction Engineering Management,

Department of Civil and Building Engineering


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What is Working Late: Ageing productively

through design?

This Working Lateproject investigates the role of good design and

ergonomics in healthy working.

The research will be used to create an online resource called OWL (Organiser

forWorking Late) which will facilitate healthy working through better moreintelligent workplace design.

Working Lateis NOT about over time or long working hours


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Working Late through design

non-stigmatising

preventative healthcare

individual choice & control

flexible

Design

sustainable

accessible and intuitive

desirablefun intelligent

encourages good habits


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What is OWL?

The OWL resource will support line managers in facilitating

healthy ageing at work through design.

It will be made up of education & training tools Generic tool kit tool box talks,

discussion tools

Personal Stories - design examples,

video stories

OWL will empower and support worker involvement in designdecision making processes especially when Working Late.


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Introduction

Collaboration between an animal charity in the Midlands and

Loughborough Design School, Loughborough University Work & improve centre design

Caring for animal care workers Ergonomics Undergraduate

research project

In collaboration with the NDA Working Late


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Introduction

The project was undertaken October 2010 June 2011.

The site assessed has now moved During the project they were in the

process of moving.


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Background

The animal care centre is a charity concerned with the prevention of

cruelty to animals; Care centres

Animal hospitals Wildlife centres

The care centres adopt a range of jobs caring for animals

Concern for the animal care workers: Health & Safety

Awkward postures

Work related injuries; musculoskeletal ill health


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Facts & Figures

Training Animal Care Workers in manual handling is limited 31% of UK small animal practices having trained staff in H&S (DSouza et

al, 2009)

Animal care workers experiencing lower back problems

60% - 63% (OSullivan & Curran, 2008 & Smith et al, 2009)

75% of veterinary practices, around Hampshire in the UK, have

access to adjustable tables 95% treat heavy dogs on the floor (DSouza et al, 2009)

Reducing manual lifting within the kitchen improved the

protection of the shoulders (Pehkonen et al, 2009)


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Methods

First stage: Baseline Data Collection Preliminary meetings and informal

discussions

Questionnaire Survey

Second stage: In-depth Data Collection Observations

Focus Groups

Third stage: Feedback Project write up

Presentation of co-design solutions


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Methods

Baseline Data Collection Questionnaire Survey The working late questionnaire was used for this project to gain

insights into the environment animal care staff work in.

The areas are: Air qulaity, ligthing and noise

Temperature

MSD

Working ability

Ageing affects


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Methods

In-depth data collection: Observations

These took place in the food preparation room.

The methods used include:

Ergonomic audit

Link analysis

REBA assessments


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Methods

In-depth data collection: Focus Groups

Two focus groups

animal care workers animal care managers

The three areas which were explored were:

1. Storage

2. Food preparation

3. Cleaning


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Results


26% (n=23) completed questionnaires

83% female

Average age 34 (range 20-63)

Height ranged from 1.52m 1.98m

32 average hours worked per week

3 years 5 months average time respondents had worked at the RSPCA

The majority of equipment used was cleaning, follwed by medical and IT

All respondents rate their ability to work between 7-10


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Results



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Results


Working posture & frequency


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Results

Observations: Ergonomics Audit Layout of the food prepartion room


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Results

Observations - Ergonomic Audit Lifting heavy equipment.

Cleaning was an issue.

Innefficent storage.


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Results

Observations Link Analysis


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Results

Observations REBA

Necessary action to be taken for both tasks

Medium Risk Level; preparing food bowls

High Risk Level; filling up food barrels

REBA Score Risk Level Action Level Action

1 Negligible 0 None necessary

2 3 Low 1 May be necessary

4 7 Medium 2 Necessary

8 10 High 3 Necessary soon

11 15 Very High 4 Necessary NOW


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Results

Co-Design Focus Groups

Wants Waist height storage/access

Higher sink

Drying rack

Disinfectant at worktop height

Push swing door

Set area for each food type

More weighting scales

Drawer for miscellaneous items

Do not want Not keen on a dishwasher

Not keen on hand dryer

Ideally everything wants to be at waist height,

but unfortunately we dont live in an ideal world.


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Conclusions

Workers adopt awkward postures when performing job tasks working posture; standing (74%), lifting and handling heavy equipment

(78%).

Lower back period prevalence MSDs was 65% and 56% for

shoulders.

High occurrence of manual handling throughout the site.


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Conclusions

Limited space is a major negative contributing factor to the

manual handling of food

Storage of dry food used for food preparation could be

improved to reduce; poor postures and manual handling.

Food bowls, barrels and scales were the most frequently used

items in the food preparation room


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Conclusions; Design Solutions

sink areas, worktops and storage ofcleaning equipment

1. Improved manual handling training

2. Food storage to be in the same room as food

preparation3. Improved storage of cleaning equipment.

4. Swinging doors, with glass panels.

5. Sinks at higher levels.

6. Drying racks for food bowls.

7. Waist height food storage

Height adjustable counters, sinks storage solutions


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References

DSouza, E., Barraclough, R., Fishwick, D., Curran, A. 2009, Management of occupational health risks in small-animal

veterinary practices. Occupational Medicine. 59, 316-322.

OSullivan, K., Curran, N. 2008, It Shouldnt Happen to a Vet. Occupational injuries in veterinary practitioners working inIreland. Ireland Veterinary Journal. 61, 584-587.

Pehkonen, I., Miranda, H., Haukka, E., Luukonen, R., Takala, E-P., Ketola, R., Leino-Arjas, P., Riihimaki, H., Viikari-Juntura, E.

2009b, Prospective study on shoulder symptoms among kitchen workers in relation to self-percieved and observed

work load. Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 66, 416-423.

Smith, D.R., Leggat, P.A., Speare, R. 2009, Musculoskeletal disorders and psychosocial risk factors among veterinarians in

Queensland, Australia.Australian Veterinarian Journal. 87, 260-265.


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Any questions please contact:

Thank you!

Esme Shanley

[email protected]

Elaine Yolande Williams

[email protected]

+ 44 (0) 1509 228816

Diane Gyi

[email protected]

+44 (0) 1509 223043

Ergonomics and Human Factors 2012 International Conference - Esme Shanley Presentation

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