BHCT 208 THEORY UNIT 6 - ERGONOMICS

 

UNIT 6

ERGONOMICS

 

Word ergonomics was derived from the Greek words ‘Ergon’ meaning work and ‘nomoi’ meaning natural laws. Thus, ergonomics can be simply defined as the how workplace and equipment can be best used and designed for comfort, safety, efficiency and productivity. Ergonomics aims to create safe, comfortable and productive workspace by bringing human abilities and limitations into the design of the room, including the individual’s body size, strength, sensory abilities (vision, hearing), and even attitudes.

 

ERGONOMICS IN HOTEL HOUSEKEEPING

 

Today leading hotel companies are adopting the principles of ergonomics in order to improve working conditions for employees and are finding that it makes good economic sense too. Ergonomics also plays a significant role in achieving the goals of lean thinking in a hotel property by reducing costs and improving productivity through eliminating waste (e.g., unnecessary motions and reducing mistakes thereby improving quality).

 

1.  Work in neutral postures

 

•       Proper posture maintenance is necessary

 

•       Working too long with “C” curve can cause strain

 

•       Keeping the proper alignment of neck hands wrist are also necessary

 

2.  Reduce excessive force

 

•       Excessive pressure or force at the joints can cause injury

 

•       Better to minimize the work that requires more physical labour

 

3.  Keep everything in reach

 

•       Keeping everything in reach would help in avoiding unneeded stretching and strain

 

•       More or less this principle is related with maintaining good posture.

 

4.  Work at proper height

 

•       Working at right makes things way easier

 

•       Sometimes height can be maintained by adding extensions or avoiding extensions on

 

the chair or tables

 

5.  Reduce excessive motions

 

•       Repetitive motion needs to be avoided

 

•       This can cause disorder and numbness in long run

 

•       Motion scan be reduced by the use of power tools

 

6.  Minimize fatigue and static load

 

•       Fatigue is common in strenuous work

 

•       Having to hold things for longer period is example of static load

 

•       Fatigue can be reduced by the intervals and the breaks between the works.

 

7.  Minimize pressure points

 

•       One needs to be aware of pressure points

 

•       Almost everyone of has to sit on chairs that had cushioning, one of the pressure point is behind knees, which happens if air is too high or when you dangle your legs. Pressure point is also created in between your thigh and the bottom of a table when you sit.

 

•       Anti-fatigue mats or insole can be used

 

 

8.  Provide clearance

 

•       Work area should have enough clearance

 

•       Let the worker not worry about the bumps that they have to encounter on daily

 

basis.

 

9.  Move, exercise and stretch

 

•       Move and stretch when you can

 

•       It better to take intervals between the works and stretch and move along

 

•       Stretching technique may differ and depend on the work one does

 

10. Maintain a comfortable environment

 

•       This principle is focused on the other component of the working environment.

 

•       It is concerned about the lightening, space, cool air and many more.

 

 

SIGNIFICANCE AND NEED OF ERGONOMICS

 

Ergonomics is the study of how working conditions, equipment, and information can be arranged in an order that people can work with them safely and more efficiently. Improperly designed equipment, furniture, or physical procedures can cause physical strain and fatigue in workers. Such strains can lead to long-term physical disabilities, referred to as musculo-skeletal disorders (MSDs). The prevalence of MSDs, also called Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSIs), is very high among people who are exposed to certain tasks for long periods of time.

 

ANALYSING RISK FACTORS

Prevention of work-related injury and accidents in housekeeping is easier if action is taken early through effective analysis of risk factors. An extensive ergonomic risk factor analysis for all housekeeping tasks needs to be carried out by housekeeping managers who are responsible for all the staff working in the department. The ergonomic risk factor analysis involves finding answers to the following questions:

 

·        What are the risk factors in each of these tasks/department?

·        What are the risk factors in each of these tasks?

·        How can these risk factors be reduced?

 

Mitigation of risks in housekeeping by applying ergonomic principles

 

Housekeeping is a highly challenging task. It can be classified as ‘moderately heavy’ to ‘heavy’ work. There is no evading the work to be carried out by the housekeepers. However, housekeepers can modify their tasks and personal habits in conformity with ergonomic principles to avoid injuries and also reduce their work load. Application of ergonomics to modify housekeeping activities can broadly be considered under the following:

 

 

1. Modifying the workplace layout and equipment

Using proper equipment and work practices translates into work safety and prevents workplace injuries. Employers must provide user-friendly, well-designed equipment and establish safe work practices to reduce the risks of musculo-skeletal injuries. Managers must also instruct workers in these safe work practices and in turn workers should abide by their instructions to protect themselves.

 

2. Modifying loads lifted/way of lifting

Lifting loads and pushing carts is among the most injury prone activities in housekeeping. The following tips can greatly help reduce risk of injury while doing heavy work:

·        Break large loads into smaller ones to reduce the impact on the body.

·        Store frequently lifted material at a level between the waist and shoulders.

·        Carry heavy objects close to the body.

·        Always push rather than pull loads and use carts with vertical handles to reduce strain.

·        Ensure that carts are maintained properly. Tyres should be fully inflated and the wheels should not be bent or misaligned. This will decrease the amount of force required to push the cart.

·        Report faulty carts to the supervisor.

·        Lift the load with both hands instead of one.

·        Alter the handles on loads to make it easier to carry the load.

·        Lift the load using a team lift.

·        Remember it is more physically demanding to grip smaller items or large items with the hand at full stretch.

·        Vary techniques to use different muscles (e.g., alternate arms when scrubbing, vacuuming, and tucking sheets).

·        Pad knees (for example, wear knee pads or use a mat or towel) and change position often when kneeling.

·        Wear shoes with enough cushioning to relieve the stress on the knees and back when the work involves standing for long periods.

 

3. Controlling the work environment

At times, the work place itself adds to the risk of musculo-skeletal injuries if it is found wanting in terms of adequate space, or proper lighting. Some employee-friendly tips include:

·        Provide enough space so that bending, reaching, and twisting can be eliminated during task.

·        Provide sufficient lighting so that staff does not have to lean towards an object to view it or strain the eyes.

·        Consider the size and type of wheels for trolleys, for instance, larger wheels will make the trolley easier to move.

 

4. Redesigning work practices

A change in mind-set, reallocation of work and redesigning some practices keeping in mind the following principles of ergonomics could significantly reduce risk of injury to housekeepers:

·        Rotate or distribute the same tasks within the job between different employees, to allow postural change.

·        Build stretch breaks into the work routine especially before and after physically demanding tasks.

·        It is advisable to plan one’s workload and do the heavier tasks at the beginning of the work shift, rather than at the end, when fatigue is at its maximum. When a person is tired, the risk of injuring a muscle is higher.

Employers have an obligation to provide a safe work environment to their workers. Training pertaining to application of ergonomic principles for employees should be a mandatory role of housekeeping managers.

 

Importance of ergonomics in housekeeping

a)  Increases productivity

b)  Reduces the cost

c)  Improves the quality of the work

d)  Motivate employee to reduce the absenteeism

 

ANALYSIS OF RISK FACTORS IN HOUSEKEEPING: ERGONOMICS PERSPECTIVES

 

Job activities involving any of the ergonomic risk factors below may contribute to or result in an increased risk of strain and injury.

 

•       Awkward body postures: Ergonomics help in reducing awkward body postures or positions of the body that deviate significantly from the neutral position. This is usually accomplished with hand-tools, revised procedures, and training.

 

•       High force applied: Whether lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying an object, hotels should reduce the weight of objects that staff must lift and reduce the amount of force required to push or pull of objects like carts, vacuums, and cleaners. This is usually accomplished with equipment redesign, selection, and training.

 

•       Rest for the muscle: Hotels should reduce the time housekeeping staff spend on tasks that use the same muscle groups through work pace control and by varying the type of work they do during their shift.

•       Bending

•       Compression or contact stress

•       Forceful exertions

•       Insufficient rest breaks

•       Lifting

•       Noise

•       Pushing

•       Pulling

•       Reaching

•       Repetitive motions

•       Static or sustained postures

•       Temperature extremes

MITIGATION OF RISKS IN HOUSEKEEPING BY APPLYING ERGONOMICS PRINCIPLE

FACTORS HELP IN REDUCING THE RISK DURING WORK ENVIRONMENT

 

•       Avoiding repetitive action and modify way of lifting heavy equipment and furniture.

 

•       Modifying/ redesign work practices

 

•       Maintaining and modifying body posture and personal habits.

 

•       Use of cushion pads, lumbar support whiling sitting for the longer time.

•        Modifying workplace layout/ equipment

PPT

Unit 6 Ergonomics by Deepak Chhikara