SLIP, TRIP AND FALL ACCIDENTS IN A SOUTH AFRICAN AUTOMOTIVE PLANT: PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS

摘要

Slip, trip and fall hazards are commonplace in the South African automotive industry. The awkward postures assumed during the execution of manual tasks within the industry predispose workers to high levels of discomfort and concomitant work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs).The present study aimed to assess the slip, trip and fall risks associated with push-pull forces required to complete a series of sub-tasks in the paintshop of a South African Automotive industry. In situ analyses was conducted to assess the forces required to move the vehicle frames. In addition Laboratory testing was conducted (n=15) in order to analyse the interaction between the task and the human operator. The results from the in situ evaluation demonstrated that workers were required to exert push-pull forces of up to 35 kg.f, necessitating workers to adopt poor working postures. The excessive forces and awkward postures indicated the need to automate the conveyor pulling component in order to minimize the risk to the operator, and to increase the efficiency of production.