|
Evisceration
Task 7: Gizzard Harvester
A gizzard harvester separates gizzards from other items in the viscera and directs
the gizzard to the gizzard
table.
Hazards of this area may include:
Reaching across high and/or wide work surface
|
Hazardous Situation:
Employees repeatedly reach across a conveyor or work table to
obtain product for processing. Repetitive reaching stresses the shoulder and upper back and
may require bending at the waist, which can stress the lower back.
Possible Solutions:
- Use
diverter bars to push product closer to employee.
- Reduce width of
table so product is presented closer to employee.
-
Position work fixtures so all activities of the task can be
performed with the elbows in close to the torso.
-
Tilt work surface so product
slides to employee.
Return to Top
|
Ergonomic hazards from use of knives
|
Hazardous Situation:
Workers use a knife to perform some trimming and cleaning
functions. Most knives have a straight, in-line design. Using this type of knife on a
horizontal cutting surface forces employees to bend their wrists to perform the cut.
Bending the wrist while exerting finger force is stressful to the tendons and muscles of
the hand and forearm. Factors such as poorly fitting gloves, slick handles, inappropriately
sized handles, or dull knives increase the force that must be used. Finger
force and bending the wrist should be minimized when performing cutting tasks.
Possible Solutions:
-
Keep knives sharp and in good condition.
- Remove damaged
knives from service.
-
Use knives appropriate for the task.
-
Provide properly sized gloves.
Return
to Top
|
Ergonomic hazards from use of scissors
|
Hazardous Situation:
Workers often use manual scissors that can
cause ergonomic stress on the arms, hands, and fingers. Repeated opening
of the jaws can irritate and inflame the tendons and sheaths of the hand.
This is especially a problem if employees are positioned either too high
or low in relation to the bird, such that the wrist is bent while finger force is exerted. The tendon and sheath can experience
contact damage as they are pulled across the bones and ligaments of the
wrist. Contact between the loop handles of the scissors and the sides of
the fingers can damage nerves and blood vessels.
Possible Solutions:
Return to Top
|
Standing for a long time
|
Hazardous Situation:
Standing for a long time reduces blood flow to the legs, forces isolated muscles to work for
an extended
time, and increases risk of fatigue and varicose veins.
Possible Solutions:
- Install
sit/stand stools, which allow
employees to lean and have their weight supported while still remaining in an upright
posture.
- Rotate
workers to tasks that do not require prolonged standing.
-
Provide shoe insoles that cushion the feet and spread foot pressure over a larger surface.
-
Provide a foot rest
in front of employees so they can shift their posture.
Return
to Top
|
|