Question 1 In The Past Year At Carters Material Handling Equ
Question 1in The Past Year At Carters Material Handling Equipment Man
QUESTION 1 In the past year at Carter's Material Handling Equipment Manufacturing Company, eight employees experienced minor injuries (cuts) from handling metal parts. One employee lost 15 workdays after getting debris in his eye while grinding, six employees lost two days each due to back strains, and four welders were treated for minor burns. Select one of the injury types, and discuss the possible performance problems. Suggest one or more solutions for each performance problem. Your response must be at least 200 words.
QUESTION 2 Imagine you are faced with developing a safety training class for a multi-lingual, multi-generational, and multi-ethnic workforce. Would you try to incorporate everyone's needs into a single class, or would you try to develop separate classes to meet the needs of each demographic? Explain your choice. Your response must be at least 200 words.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
Workplace safety is paramount in manufacturing environments, where physical hazards can cause injury and affect employee morale and productivity. Analyzing specific injury types can help identify underlying performance problems and develop targeted solutions. This paper focuses on back strains experienced by employees at Carter’s Material Handling Equipment Manufacturing Company, exploring potential performance issues and proposing effective interventions.
Performance Problems Related to Back Strains
Back strains are common in manufacturing settings involving manual handling, lifting, and awkward postures. The performance problems associated with back strains may include decreased productivity due to pain and discomfort, increased absenteeism, and potential long-term health issues. Employees may engage in unsafe lifting techniques or lack proper ergonomics awareness, leading to repeated injuries. Additionally, a high incidence of back strains can reflect deficiencies in training, insufficient use of ergonomic equipment, or inadequate supervision of work practices.
Possible Causes of Performance Problems
Several factors can contribute to back strains in this context. Employees handling heavy or awkward metal parts may not be adequately trained in proper lifting techniques. The work environment may lack ergonomic supports such as adjustable workbenches or lifting aids. There could be a cultural tendency to prioritize speed over safety, encouraging employees to cut corners. Furthermore, insufficient oversight or fatigue may exacerbate unsafe behaviors, increasing injury risk. The pressure to maintain production targets might lead workers to ignore safety protocols, further risking injuries.
Solutions to Address Performance Problems
To mitigate back strains and improve performance, a multifaceted approach can be employed. First, implementing comprehensive ergonomic training focusing on correct lifting techniques and posture can empower employees to reduce strain. The use of mechanical aids such as hoists or carts should be encouraged to minimize manual lifting. Regular ergonomics assessments can identify risk areas and adapt workstations accordingly. Promoting a safety culture that values well-being over speed—through management commitment, incentive programs, and ongoing training—can foster safer behaviors. Additionally, scheduling adjustments to allow adequate rest periods can reduce fatigue-related injuries. Finally, involving employees in safety committees can provide insights into daily challenges and foster shared responsibility for injury prevention.
Conclusion
Addressing back strains at Carter's Material Handling Equipment Manufacturing Company requires understanding the underlying performance problems, including unsafe work practices and ergonomic deficiencies. Implementing targeted training, providing ergonomic aids, and fostering a safety-first culture are crucial strategies to reduce injuries, improve employee performance, and promote a healthier workplace environment.
References
- North American Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2020). Ergonomics in the workplace. OSHA. https://www.osha.gov/ergonomics
- Salvendy, G. (2012). Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics. John Wiley & Sons.
- Singh, R., & Mukherjee, S. (2018). Ergonomic interventions and safety in manufacturing industries. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 66, 129-137.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ergonomics/default.html
- Chung, Y., & Matz, S. (2019). Improving safety performance through ergonomics programs. Safety Science, 112, 232-240.
- European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. (2018). Managing musculoskeletal disorders risk factors. https://osha.europa.eu/en/themes/musculoskeletal-disorders
- Gupta, N., & Singh, M. (2020). Ergonomics and occupational health safety in manufacturing units. Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 24(2), 94-99.
- NIOSH. (2015). Strategies for preventing back injuries in manual materials handling. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2015-115.
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. (2019). Ergonomics and safe lifting. https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/lifting/
- Smith, J. P., & Taylor, K. C. (2017). Organizational safety culture and injury rates in manufacturing. Journal of Safety Research, 63, 123-130.