

Solution: How to Make Your Work Area Efficient

E-mail this Solution to a Friend


	Description:	Pay close attention to the organization and layout of the jobsite to minimize materials handling, heavy lifting and awkward postures. Place materials near where they will be used on site to reduce the need for manual transport or transfer Stock materials at waist height (e.g., on an adjustable work surface or a stack of pallets) to avoid excessive heavy lifting and overhead reaching Leave enough space around materials and parts to allow access without bending, twisting or far reaching Keep together materials that are to be used together Stock parts to be used first on the top of the pile Make materials and parts easily identifiable to avoid extra trips Planning the location and movement of temporary structures and storage areas is part of site management with the objective being to minimze material movement. Computer Aided Design (CAD) programs are available for complex projects. Small projects can be planned using graphical models. Missing. More Detail
	Risks Addressed:	Musculoskeletal disorders and worker fatigue due to manual materials handling
	How Risks are Reduced:	These methods reduce the number of times a material must be lifted, the distance it must be lifted, and the distance over which it must be transported. These precautions reduce the risk associated with any one lift or carry, but also by reducing fatigue, lower the cumulative risk of material handling and the risk from other construction hazards.
	Quality of Evidence (Risk Reduction):	Safety and health experts believe there is a risk reduction.
	Quality of Evidence Explanation (Risk Reduction):	Planning the location and movement of temporary structures and storage areas is an inegral part of site management with the objective being to minimize material movement. Small projects can be planned using graph paper. CAD programs are available for complex projects.
	Effects on Productivity:	Effective planning of the worksite results in fewer and shorter trips to obtain materials and reduces work stoppages for materials. Traffic flow is less disrupted. Injury reduction also increases productivity by keeping workers at their task rather than dealing with an injury.
	Quality of Evidence (Effects on Productivity):	Safety and health experts believe there is an increase in productivity.
	Quality of Evidence Explanation (Effects on Productivity):	.
	Return on Investment:	To calculate the return on investment (ROI) for your specific application, please visit our Return on Investment Calculator. While a specific ROI example has not been developed for this particular solution, the ROI Calculator provides a useful tool and guidance on how to generate your own on investment analysis.
	Additional Considerations:	Storage areas must be located so that they do no block emergency equipment or pathways and do not cause workers to enter unguarded elevated areas, move too close to electrical hazards, or to increase their risk in other ways.
	Sources:	Various