Hi Tracy
I have seen similar arrangements in food production for food hygiene purposes. I would go for a risk assessment approach (with H&S?) incorporating the following;
Is it fit for purpose? Eg, incorporate all shapes and sizes, how easy is it to sit on and put on boots
Does it present a hazard? Eg, what happens in an emergency, is it safe if you need a hand up?
Is there an increased risk of injury at shift changes eg, when workers swing their legs can they kick someone over or if they fall off due to being too high
Does it accommodate vulnerable employees eg, disabled, ageing, visitors - can use your OH knowledge of the health trends you know about
What happens when you are returning people back to work with MSK's, bench may be the first test and so may need to stay off longer
I must admit when I have used them sometimes it has been the other way and they have been too low.
Good luck
Karen
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tracy Turner
Sent: 06 September 2012 15:21
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [OCC-HEALTH] work environment - new facilities
Good afternoon
We have had a new canteen and washing area to our factory - supposingly making it the best one for miles!
The situation is complicated to explain but here goes;
Employee enters building in outside shoes, sits on a bench which has been made out of steel and although I do not have the measurements to hand I am 5ft 7 and am required to hitch up onto the bench and leave my feet dangling.
Then the employees are expected to swing their legs over the wide bench perhaps a metre, put boots on and place feet down the other side. Again at this point I have to push myself off the bench.
I can see that 25% of our aging and partly disabled employees are going to encounter problems with this once the area is opened. There is no other way into the factory for employees to do their job.
The bench runs the whole lenth of the room - no gaps.
Neither OH or H&S were involved with the plans but it has been brought to our attendition by one memer of staff who has viewed it and is already quite rightly concerned.
Some employees have prosthetic hips and I am sure that they will need to lift their legs up so that there is less than 90 deg angle when they swing the legs over which if I can remeber correctly is not recommended for such individuals due to possible disclocation.
We have people who are much shorter than me. Our HR assistant required a hand up from another member of staff.
When I asked why such a bench was put in like this in 2012 I was advised that they knew how many shoe places were required and so added them up to make the dimention of the bench - The bench houses the outside shoes in tidy compartments!
I have discussed this with maangement who have asked me to put my concerns in writing. Has anyone got any evidence based information regardign lifting one foot at a time up etc and swinging actions casuing back pain.
I need to get this accross in a professional manner and really need a bit of advice please on how to do it.
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