الوقاية والأرغنوميا
Volume 9, Numéro 3, Pages 64-85
2015-12-20

4. Hierarchical Controls Assessment For Ergonomics Risks In Maintenance Operation An Applied Research

Authors : Illankoon Prasanna . Abeysekera John .

Abstract

(B). Work Science Academy, Sweden Abstract: Today, Sri Lanka stands strong as one of the premier fashion and apparel outsourcing hubs in the world, possessing a wealth of long established culture, which represents ethical entrepreneurship and sustainability. At present, the country is on a seamless and relentless process of setting up a unique platform to accomplish its ascendancy through superior quality, incomparable turnaround time and adoption of state-of-the-art technology. www.ft.lk (2015). Plant maintenance plays a major role on efficiency of manufacturing process and to have apparel sectors’ recognition over safe plant operations, maintenance functions have to be well complying with safety standards. Maintenance operation involves unique Human Factor challenges due to both Physical demands under restricted access and Psychological demands such as problem solving. Due to these challenges, maintenance operation is recognized as carrying risks on the system as well as on the human. Risk evaluation with hierarchy of controls is a methodology utilized in industry in the management of hazards and risks to eliminate or reduce employee exposures. Elimination, Substitution, Engineering Controls, Administrative Controls and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the common hierarchy used when identifying solutions to minimize employee exposure to the hazards. BS 8800 (2004). This applied research is based on an Industrial Project where Risk Evaluation was conducted with focus in determining the ways of preventing from Ergonomic Risks in maintenance operation. Hierarchy of controls being the basis, this research presents the evaluation done over the maintenance operation, risk preventions methods and suggests a Study Model that might be used generally in industry to determine Ergonomic Risk Prevention of Maintenance work.

Keywords

Hierarchical, Controls, Assessment, Risks, Maintenance.