Occupational Overuse Checklist

Occupational overuse checklist

  1. Is there an occupational overuse syndrome policy in place?
  2. Is management committed to the objectives of the policy?
  3. Have sufficient resources been provided to ensure that the objectives of the policy are met?
  4. Are staff at all levels aware of, and do they understand, the policy?
  5. Are risk management systems in place to identify all OOS hazards, and to assess and control the associated risks?
  6. Do the organisation’s records of injury and illness confirm that OOS is being effectively controlled?
  7. Are all employees able to perform their duties in a reasonable degree of physical comfort, in a working posture that is relaxed and not strained?
  8. Do employees confirm that they are able to perform their work without frequent soreness of hands, arms, shoulders and back?
  9. Is there sufficient task variety so that workers are able to vary their posture and the muscle groups they predominantly use to carry out their work activities?
  10. If repetitive and/or forceful movements are involved in carrying out the task, have alternative work methods or tools been considered in order to minimise the amount of forceful, repetitive or awkward movements involved in the task?
  11. If repetitive and/or forceful movements are involved in carrying out the task, are sufficient breaks provided to allow recovery from muscle fatigue and variation in use of muscle groups?
  12. Is sufficient provision made for managing fluctuating workloads, so that excessive strain on operators is avoided?
  13. Have workers been trained in safe systems of work, and instructed in how to perform their duties and use the tools and equipment provided so as to avoid excessive stress and strain?
  14. Is early reporting of symptoms of OOS encouraged?
  15. Are supervisors trained in appropriate response to reports of symptoms of OOS?

 

The UK HSE created a great tool the “Assessment of Repetitive Tasks” known as the ART tool

This is a good method of determining the risks and reduction of risk measures for any repetitive type of work.

The ART tool is a method that helps to:

Identify repetitive tasks with high risks and where to carry out risk reduction measures.

Check against the legal aspects for repetitive works (Previous Paragraph ©UK HSE)

See below the link to the tool information.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg438.pdf

 

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