Solution Summary: How to Make Your Work Area Efficient
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.
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.
Risks Addressed:
Musculoskeletal disorders and worker fatigue due to manual materials handlingHow 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.
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.
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.
