The good the bad and ugly

Review of working practices to reduce musculoskeletal disorders within Telecommunications Sector: 

Review of working practices to reduce musculoskeletal disorders within Telecommunications Sector ‘The good, the bad and the ugly’ Veerle Hermans Marthe Verjans

Content: 

Content Outline of the project Working practices: Results Who is at risk? Service Technicians Call centre workers Conclusion

I. Outline of the project: 

I. Outline of the project Background Initial survey (2003): Widely differing working practices in broadly analogous tasks  No clear vision of good practice Objective To collect current working practices and methods across all EU countries relating to telecommunications activities with a risk of MSD in order to define best practice

I. Outline of the project: 

I. Outline of the project Methodology Analysis of good practices in literature Company visits (Belgacom, British Telecom, France Telecom) Detailled questionnaire on MSD’s and working practices within 48 EU companies Approach of the review ‘Current working practices’ within several activities and task of the service technicians and call centre workers

II. Working practices: Results: 

II. Working practices: Results  17 companies Who is at risk? 511 467 workers + Non-response + Outsourced activities * Questionnaires completed by the participating companies in February – March 2005, update France Telecom September 2005

II. Working practices: ResultsService Technicians: 

II. Working practices: Results Service Technicians Service technicians (13/17 companies): 12 activities Severity of the problem and the type of body region affected depends on many risk factors related to the specific activity of the telecommunication workers.

II. Working practices: ResultsLifting covers of underground structures: 

II. Working practices: Results Lifting covers of underground structures General ST Pulling, pushing and connecting cables ST Blowing and connecting optical fibres ST Repairing underground structures Approx. 63 351 workers (+) Risks on MSD’s Back Moderate to high

II. Working practices: ResultsLifting covers of underground structures: 

Current working practices Assisted opening (avoid lifting) Replacement of heavy into lighter material Specific tools and lifting devices Policy and procedures Task specific training II. Working practices: Results Lifting covers of underground structures

II. Working practices: ResultsLifting covers of underground structures: 

Expert evaluation Most efficient: Avoid lifting Hydraulic or electical lifting aids > Hammers Recommendations Suitable mechanical aids Training in real task situations II. Working practices: Results Lifting covers of underground structures

II. Working practices: ResultsConnecting/ repairing fibres: 

General ST Blowing/connecting optical fibres ST Repair underground structures ST In –house cable connecting Approx. workers 81 046 (+) Risks on MSD’s Neck/ shoulders, upper limbs and back Moderate to high Prolonged static posture/ uncomfortable working positions, repetitive movements II. Working practices: Results Connecting/ repairing fibres

II. Working practices: ResultsConnecting/ repairing fibres: 

II. Working practices: Results Connecting/ repairing fibres Current working practices Kneepads, chair Adaptations of vehicle Ergonomic devices Job rotation Task specific training

II. Working practices: ResultsConnecting/ repairing fibres: 

II. Working practices: Results Connecting/ repairing fibres Expert evaluation Work alternatively sitting and standing to avoid sustained static postures Make sure workers will use the tools correctly Recommendations Preferred working height and reaching distances

II. Working practices: ResultsAdditional: Lifting examplesCurrent practices and recommendations: 

II. Working practices: Results Additional: Lifting examples Current practices and recommendations

II. Working practices: ResultsAdditional: Lifting examples Current practices and recommendations: 

II. Working practices: Results Additional: Lifting examples Current practices and recommendations

II. Working practices: ResultsWorking on poles/ pylons: 

General ST Pole worker ST Pylon worker Approx. workers 34 773 (+) Risks on MSD’s Back, neck/ shoulders, upper limb Moderate to high Prolonged static work and awkward postures Lifting and carrying heavy objects II. Working practices: Results Working on poles/ pylons

II. Working practices: ResultsWorking on poles/ pylons: 

II. Working practices: Results Working on poles/ pylons Current working practices Back and feet support Reel system Mechanical lifting aids Ergonomic devices Policy and procedures Task specific training

II. Working practices: ResultsWorking on poles/ pylons: 

II. Working practices: Results Working on poles/ pylons Expert evaluation Changes in work organisation Recommendations Design recommendations for vertical ladders, stairs Breaks and task rotation Proper lifting techniques

II. Working practices: ResultsDigging/ drilling machine: 

II. Working practices: Results Digging/ drilling machine General ST Mechanical digging ST piping Approx. workers 21 517 (+) Risks on MSD’s Back, neck/ shoulders Moderate to high Prolonged seating posture (in awkward position) Whole body vibration

II. Working practices: ResultsDigging/ drilling machine: 

II. Working practices: Results Digging/ drilling machine Current working practices Adjustable chair Ergonomic adjustments Task specific training Recommendations Ergonomic chair: suit worker's size, workstation, and tasks Shoulder straps Use of mirrors, rotating body Ergonomic design of handles and knobs

II. Working practices: ResultsLaptop use in vehicle: 

II. Working practices: Results Laptop use in vehicle Risks on MSD’s Neck, shoulders and upper limbs High Static and awkward postures Current working practices and recommendations

II. Working practices: ResultsContact centres: 

II. Working practices: Results Contact centres General 17 companies Approx. 511 467 workers (+) Risks on MSD’s Upper limb disorders Back pain Stress Visual fatigue

II. Working practices: ResultsContact centres: 

II. Working practices: Results Contact centres Current working practices Proper work equipment Sufficient work post set up Expert evaluation Recommendations Training in proper workstation set up and in ergonomic principles iatservices.missouri

III. Conclusion: 

III. Conclusion Several companies performing different activities: difficult to compare data regarding occurence and prevention measures on MSD’s Review of working practices Info on the task descriptions, risks and prevention measures of participating companies Additional information on ergonomics guidelines, other important documents/databases Experience of the authors  Allow cross country/company benchmarking of information regarding prevention measures

Questions: 

Questions ?