Job Demands Analysis Walk Behind Sweeper Operator

Transcription

1 Job Demands Analysis Walk Behind Sweeper Operator Purpose The walk behind sweeper is used to clean city sidewalks, primarily in commercial areas. Primary Duties The job title has 3 primary duties: Duty #1: Operating Sweeper Duty #2: Driving Duty #3: Cleaning Sweeper % of shift or # hrs 4-5 hrs 1hr 1hr Description of Secondary Duties The walk behind sweeper operator may be required to perform other work tasks on an occasional basis. Eamples of the tasks that may be performed by the sweeper operator are: Answering questions from the public Summary of Demands Sedentary Light Medium Heavy Very Heavy Physical (strength) Based on strength requirements Physical (endurance) Stand/walk 34%-66% of shift Cognitive Based on driving requirements Shift Structure There is only one walk behind sweeper operator at present, who works from 7am- 3:30pm, M-F. There is a 30 minute lunch break and two 10 minute coffee breaks. Report prepared for City of Vancouver by Mandy Gallant, ErgoRisk Management Group Page 1

2 Frequency Rating Definitions The frequency rating definitions used in the Summary Table are from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT, 1991, 4th edition) published by the US Department of Labor. A similar classification is used for each Essential Duty, but the percentages are changed to reflect % of Duty rather than % of shift. Time per Day Percentage of Shift Never 0 minutes 0 % Rare 0-5 minutes 0-1 % Infrequent 6-25 minutes 2-5 % Occasional 26 minutes 2.5 hours 6-33 % Frequent hours % Constant hours % STRENGTH Strength Category Weight Handled 1. Limited Up to 5 kg. 2. Light 5 kg. to 10 kg. 3. Medium 10 kg. to 20 kg. 4. Heavy >20 kg Report prepared for City of Vancouver by Mandy Gallant, ErgoRisk Management Group Page 2

3 Mobility Strength Never Rare Infrequent Occasional Frequent Constant Usual (kg) Ma (kg) Job Demands Analysis Walk Behind Sweeper Operator - Summary Table a. Physical Demands Frequency During Job Weight Lifting Floor to Knuckle 5 23 D1,3- Bag of debris, hose, hydrant wrench, screens, tailgate ramp Lifting Knuckle to Waist <5 6 D1,3-Screens and filters, tools from trailer, suction hose Lifting Over Shoulder Carrying with Handles <23 23 D1-5 gal water jug, weight varies as water used Carrying without Handles 5 23 D3 - Hydrant wrench, hose, bag of debris Pushing Upper Etremity Pushing Hips/Legs assist D1- Close trailer ramp Pulling Upper Etremity Pulling Hip/Leg Assist ~15 91 D1,3-Open/close hydrant, lower trailer ramp, pulling sweeper when backing up a gradient Reach Shoulder or Above D3-holding hose high to clean sweeper Reach Below Shoulder D1,2,3 operating sweeper, reach seat controls, access filters and screens Handling D1,2,3 hose, sweeper, truck, bags, wrench Fine finger movements Neck - Static Fleion D1,3 look down to sweep/use hose/clean Neck Static Neutral D1,2 look ahead when sweeping or driving Neck Static Etension Neck Static Rotation D1 when sweeping against a wall Throwing Sitting D1,2 Varies depending on whether sweeping seated or walking, also driving Standing D1,2, 3 pre-trip, cleaning, tie down straps Walking D1,2,3 pre-trip, sweeping, walk around sweeper when cleaning it. Running/Jumping Climbing D1 onto back of trailer Bending/Stooping D1,2,3 pre-trip, cleaning, use suction hose Crouching D1,2 pre-trip, adjust broom height Kneeling Crawling Twisting D1,2,3 pre-trip, turn corners, move around obstacles, shoulder check Balancing Travelling D1,2 walking and driving Report prepared for City of Vancouver by Mandy Gallant, ErgoRisk Management Group Page 3

4 Work Environment Sensory / Perception Job Demands Analysis Walk Behind Sweeper Operator - Summary Table (cont) a. Physical Demands (continued) Frequency During Job N R I O F C Hear/Conversations D1,2,3 talk with public or on cell phone Hear/Other Sounds D1,2,3- traffic, sirens, phone, public Vision/Far D1,2 Vision/Near D1,2,3 Vision/Colour D2 driving demands Vision/Depth D1,2,3 Perception/Spatial D2,3 -Looking in mirrors, driving, remove/replace screens, filter, basket Perception/Form D1,2- Obstacles in dim light/bad weather Feeling Speech D1,2,3 talk with public or on cell phone Inside Work D2 Outside Work D1,3 Slippery D1,2,3 weather dependent (snow/rain/ice) Congested worksite D1,2,3 depends on time of day Chemical Irritants Confined Space Entry Vapour Fumes D1,3-ehaust from sweeper and traffic Noise D1,2,3-sweeper, traffic and street noise Proimity to moving objects D1,2,3-pedestrians, bikes, vehicles Hazardous Machines Electrical hazard Sharp/Hazardous Tools Radiant/Thermal Energy D3-ehaust pipe hot and eposed when open hood for cleaning/water refill Hot/Cold D1,3 -Weather dependent Humid D1,3- Weather dependent Environmental Dust D1,3-particularly on dry days/dusty areas Organic Substances D1,3 emptying basket, cleaning, sucking with hose Medical Waste Blood Products Lighting Issues Direct D1,2-dark mornings in winter Lighting Issues Indirect Vibration Whole Body D1,2 Varies depending on if sweeping seated or walking, also driving Vibration Hand/Arm D1- operating sweeper Report prepared for City of Vancouver by Mandy Gallant, ErgoRisk Management Group Page 4

5 Never / Rare Infrequent / Occasional Frequent / Constant Job Demands Analysis Walk Behind Sweeper Operator - Summary Table (cont) b. Cognitive and Psychosocial Demands Frequency During Job Degree of Supervision Time Pressure Attention to Detail D1,2,3 -Keeping close to side of buildings, avoiding obstacles, cleaning thoroughly, driving safely Memory Requirements D2 driving directions Interact with co-workers Interact with public Work Alone Reading D2 street signs when driving Writing D2- pre-trip form Irregular Hours Operating Equipment D1,2 sweeper and pick-up truck Report prepared for City of Vancouver by Mandy Gallant, ErgoRisk Management Group Page 5

6 Physical Environment The work takes place primarily outdoors on city sidewalks as well as in the cab of a city pick-up truck. Staffing Levels The walk behind sweeper operator works alone. Tools and Equipment Used The walk behind sweeper operator primarily uses the walk behind sweeper, garbage bags, hydrant wrench, hoses, cell phone, tie down straps and occasionally small hand tools like a wrench. Other Equipment CSA Approved boots and safety vest are required and operators also may wear hearing protection and gloves. Data Collection Mandy Gallant, an ergonomic consultant from ErgoRisk Management Group conducted the JDA assessment on May 6 th, Data was collected using a tape measure, industrial scale, Chatillon push/pull force gauge, digital camera and through observation and discussion with the walk behind sweeper operator and the superintendent. Contact for the on-site assessment Troy de Graaf was the contact for the on-site assessment. Report prepared for City of Vancouver by Mandy Gallant, ErgoRisk Management Group Page 6

7 Description of Essential Duties This section describes the work tasks that comprise the 3 essential duties of the job. Tables 1-3 (located at the end of this report) provide the physical, cognitive and psychosocial demands for performing each of the essential duties. Essential Duty 1: Operating Sweeper Each morning before starting work the operator performs a pre-trip inspection on the sweeper to check oil, filters, coolant and add water if necessary (Fig. 1) from a hose or 5 gallon jug kept on the trailer. Once at the work location the operator lowers the ramp on the trailer, undoes the tie down straps and removes the sweeper (Fig. 2). The operator then proceeds to sweep the sidewalks along the city block(s) designated for the day. The mall sweeper is motorized so the physical demands on the operator are lessened; however, when reversing up hill the operator has to pull the sweeper as the motor by itself is not powerful enough at times. Fig. 1: Operator performing pre-trip inspection on the walk behind sweeper. Fig. 2: Operator lowering ramp to remove sweeper. When moving in the forward direction the operator can increase the throttle, so going up hills is not a problem. Once it is turned on, to run the sweeper the operator must pull up on the trigger (throttle) which is located on either end of the main handle. There is no Report prepared for City of Vancouver by Mandy Gallant, ErgoRisk Management Group Page 7

8 throttle lock so the operator must use a static, wide grip to maintain operation of the sweeper (Fig. 3). Combined with constant vibration to the hand and arm the job of operating the throttle is identified as particularly fatiguing for the hands and wrists. When using the sweeper, the operator can either work sitting down on a fold out seat (Fig. 4) or can walk behind the sweeper (Fig. 5). The current operator finds it easier to see the sweeping path when walking behind. Fig. 3: Close up of throttle bar and wide hand grip required to operate it. Fig. 4: Operator performing sweeping from a seated position. Fig. 5: Operator sweeping while walking behind the sweeper. Fig. 6: Operator walking alongside the sweeper and operating it one-handed. When sweeping up against the side of a building, curb edge or other obstacle, the operator must lean to the side and turn his/her head and neck to visualize the position Report prepared for City of Vancouver by Mandy Gallant, ErgoRisk Management Group Page 8

9 of the brushes. Depending on the width of the sidewalk, it may take 3 or 4 passes to sweep the entire width, but several of the passes can be performed without awkward side leaning because the sweeper is not sweeping against the building. In some cases the operator can walk alongside the sweeper and operate it one handed (Fig. 6). Depending on how dry and dusty the day is, the operator may choose to turn on the water spray feature of the sweeper which shoots water out by the brushes as well as a jet under the hood into the collection basket to help keep down the dust. When turning around corners or around obstacles on the sidewalk such as bike racks or mailboes or trees, the operator must twist and turn and apply some degree of force to navigate the sweeper in tight spaces (Fig. 7). To pick up items or sweep areas that are not accessible with the brushes the operator stops and uses a suction hose (Fig. 8). At times the operator may also have to make adjustments to the sweeper such as raising or lowering the brush heads (Fig. 9). At the end of the day the sweeper is put back on the trailer and towed back to the yard. Fig. 7: Manoeuvring sweeper around a corner. Fig. 8: Using sucker nozzle to pick up areas that brushes can t access. Report prepared for City of Vancouver by Mandy Gallant, ErgoRisk Management Group Page 9

10 Essential Duty 2: Driving Each day the walk behind sweeper operator drives a city truck to and from the work location towing the sweeper behind on a trailer. The sweeper is kept on its trailer in the garage and each morning the operator drives the truck over and hooks up the trailer (Fig. 10). Prior to leaving the yard in the morning the operator also performs a pre-trip inspection of the vehicle, checking tires, lights, fluid levels and windshield wipers. If necessary the driver will fill the vehicle with gas either at the beginning or end of the shift. The operator keeps the same truck each day unless it has to be turned in for maintenance. A brief post-trip inspection is also done at the end of each day. Fig. 9: Operator laying down and looking under sweeper to adjust broom height. Fig. 10: Operator hooking up sweeper trailer to truck. Essential Duty 3: Cleaning the Sweeper As the sweeper s basket fills up with debris that has been swept up, the available volume in the basket decreases and so does the suction power of the sweeper. As well, if the operator has been using the water spray along with the sweeping feature the water may be running low. Typically the operator must stop and empty the basket, refill water and clean the sweeper twice a day. Since water is needed to refill and clean the sweeper the operator does the emptying and cleaning near a city fire hydrant. To access the basket the operator opens the hood and raises the basket automatically with a button control. He/she then places a garbage bag over the top of the basket and tips the accumulated debris into the bag (Fig. 11). The bags are then placed on the Report prepared for City of Vancouver by Mandy Gallant, ErgoRisk Management Group Page 10

11 trailer or in the bag of the pick-up truck and brought back to the yard for disposal (Fig. 12). If the basket is particularly full the bag of debris can be very heavy. Fig. 11: Emptying debris from basket to garbage bag. Fig. 12: Loading bag of debris onto trailer. Once the sweeper is emptied the operator proceeds to clean it. This is done by spraying it clean with a hose. The operator takes the sweeper apart, removing filters, the basket, and debris tray and sets them aside. The operator uses a hydrant wrench to open the city hydrant and drain out any dirty water (Fig. 13). The hydrant is then closed again and a special hydrant cap is installed onto which the hose is attached. The hydrant is then reopened and the operator uses the water to clean the sweeper. Opening and closing fire hydrants can require significant force. Fig. 13: Opening hydrant. Fig. 14: Washing sweeper with hose. Report prepared for City of Vancouver by Mandy Gallant, ErgoRisk Management Group Page 11

12 The screens, basket, filter and tray are cleaned and all the hoses and areas under the hood where debris has accumulated are also cleaned (Fig. 14) with a spray hose. The operator then uses the hose to refill the water tank. Typically the first clean of the day is more cursory, just a quick rinse and at the end of the day the operator does a much more etensive cleaning of the sweeper. Report prepared for City of Vancouver by Mandy Gallant, ErgoRisk Management Group Page 12

13 Mobility Strength Never Rare Infrequent Occasional Frequent Constant Usual (kg) Ma (kg) Essential Duty 1: Walk Behind Sweeper Operator Operate Sweeper a. Physical Demands Frequency During Duty Weight Lifting Floor to Knuckle close tailgate ramp Lifting Knuckle to Waist <3 <3 Raise/lower suction hose Lifting Over Shoulder Carrying with Handles Carrying without Handles Pushing Upper Etremity Pushing Hips/Legs assist Close trailer ramp Pulling Upper Etremity Pulling Hip/Leg Assist ~15 45 Lower tailgate ramp, pull sweeper when backing up hill Reach Shoulder or Above Reach Below Shoulder NOTE: a short user may not be reaching below the shoulder to access the handle Handling Fine finger movements Neck Static Fleion Looking at brushes against wall or obstacles Neck Static Neutral Looking ahead when sweeping Neck Static Etension Neck Static Rotation Looking at brushes against wall or obstacles Throwing Sitting Varies if using sweeper seated or walking Standing When using suction hose Walking Varies if using sweeper walking or seated Running/Jumping Climbing Into back of trailer Bending/Stooping Pre-trip, using suction hose Crouching Adjust broom height Kneeling Crawling Twisting Turning, going around obstacles Balancing Travelling Frequency Rating Definition for % of Duty The definitions for frequency ratings are contained at the end of the Table (page 15). Report prepared for City of Vancouver by Mandy Gallant, ErgoRisk Management Group Page 13

14 Work Environment Sensory / Perception Essential Duty 1: Walk Behind Sweeper Operator Operate Sweeper (cont) a. Physical Demands (continued) Frequency During Duty N R I O F C Hear/Conversations Cell phone, questions from public Hear/Other Sounds Traffic, sirens, conversation Vision/Far Vision/Near Vision/Colour Vision/Depth Perception/Spatial Looking in sweeper side mirrors Perception/Form Identify obstacles in low light/bad weather Feeling Speech Cell phone, questions from public Inside Work Outside Work Slippery Weather dependent (snow/rain/ice) Congested worksite Depends on time of day & location sweeping Chemical Irritants Confined Space Entry Vapour Fumes Ehaust from sweeper and traffic Noise Sweeper, traffic and street noise Proimity to moving objects Pedestrians, bikes, vehicles Hazardous Machines Electrical hazard Sharp/Hazardous Tools Radiant/Thermal Energy Hot/Cold Weather dependent Humid Weather dependent Environmental Dust Particularly on dry days/dusty areas Organic Substances Sucking awkward areas with hose or debris brushes may stir up organic matter Medical Waste Blood Products Lighting Issues Direct Dark mornings in winter Lighting Issues Indirect Vibration Whole Body Varies depending on if walking or sitting Vibration Hand/Arm Operating sweeper controls Report prepared for City of Vancouver by Mandy Gallant, ErgoRisk Management Group Page 14

15 Never / Rare Infrequent / Occasional Frequent / Constant Essential Duty 1: Walk Behind Sweeper Operator Operate Sweeper (cont) b. Cognitive and Psychosocial Demands Frequency During Duty Degree of Supervision Time Pressure Attention to Detail Keeping close to side of buildings, avoiding obstacles Memory Requirements Interact with co-workers Interact with public Work Alone Reading Writing Irregular Hours Operating Equipment Frequency Rating Definitions for % of Duty The frequency rating definitions are from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT, 1991, 4th edition) published by the US Department of Labor. Percentage of Duty Never 0 % Rare 0-1 % Infrequent 2-5 % Occasional 6-33 % Frequent % Constant % STRENGTH Strength Category Weight Handled 5. Limited Up to 5 kg. 6. Light 5 kg. to 10 kg. 7. Medium 10 kg. to 20 kg. 8. Heavy >20 kg Report prepared for City of Vancouver by Mandy Gallant, ErgoRisk Management Group Page 15

16 Mobility Strength Never Rare Infrequent Occasional Frequent Constant Usual (kg) Ma (kg) Essential Duty 2 Walk Behind Sweeper Operator Driving a. Physical Demands Frequency During Duty Weight Lifting Floor to Knuckle Lifting Knuckle to Waist Lifting Over Shoulder Carrying with Handles Carrying without Handles Pushing Upper Etremity Pushing Hips/Legs assist Pulling Upper Etremity Pulling Hip/Leg Assist Reach Shoulder or Above Reach high on truck during pre-trip Reach Below Shoulder Adjust seat controls, checking tires and fluid levels Handling Steering wheel, oil dipstick, signals, controls Fine finger movements Neck - Static Fleion Neck Static Neutral Looking at road ahead Neck Static Etension Neck Static Rotation Throwing Sitting Standing Pre-trip inspection only Walking Pre-trip inspection only Running/Jumping Climbing Bending/Stooping Pre-trip inspection only Crouching Pre-trip inspection only Kneeling Crawling Twisting Shoulder check, getting in/out of vehicle, pre-trip inspection Balancing Travelling Frequency Rating Definition for % of Duty The definitions for frequency ratings are contained at the end of the Table (page 18). Report prepared for City of Vancouver by Mandy Gallant, ErgoRisk Management Group Page 16

17 Work Environment Sensory / Perception Essential Duty 2 Walk Behind Sweeper Operator Driving (cont) a. Physical Demands (continued) Frequency During Duty N R I O F C Hear/Conversations Cell phone if rings when driving Hear/Other Sounds Traffic noise, sirens, etc Vision/Far Vision/Near Vision/Colour Vision/Depth Perception/Spatial Checking mirrors Perception/Form Poor visibility conditions Feeling Speech Answering cell phone Inside Work Outside Work Slippery Depends on road conditions and weather Congested worksite Depends on traffic conditions and time of day. Chemical Irritants Confined Space Entry Vapour Fumes Ehaust fumes if windows down when driving Noise Road noise, vehicle noise Proimity to moving objects Other vehicles Hazardous Machines Electrical hazard Sharp/Hazardous Tools Radiant/Thermal Energy Hot/Cold Humid Environmental Dust If windows down and driving past construction site. Organic Substances Medical Waste Blood Products Lighting Issues Direct Dark mornings in winter, poor weather Lighting Issues Indirect Vibration Whole Body Vibration Hand/Arm Report prepared for City of Vancouver by Mandy Gallant, ErgoRisk Management Group Page 17

18 Never / Rare Infrequent / Occasional Frequent / Constant Essential Duty 2 Walk Behind Sweeper Operator Driving (cont) b. Cognitive and Psychosocial Demands Frequency During Duty Degree of Supervision Time Pressure Attention to Detail Watching road, traffic signals Memory Requirements Remembering route and directions Interact with co-workers Interact with public Work Alone Reading Maps, street signs, parking signs, etc Writing Irregular Hours Operating Equipment Pick-up truck Frequency Rating Definitions for % of Duty The frequency rating definitions are from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT, 1991, 4th edition) published by the US Department of Labor. Percentage of Duty Never 0 % Rare 0-1 % Infrequent 2-5 % Occasional 6-33 % Frequent % Constant % STRENGTH Strength Category Weight Handled 9. Limited Up to 5 kg. 10. Light 5 kg. to 10 kg. 11. Medium 10 kg. to 20 kg. 12. Heavy >20 kg Report prepared for City of Vancouver by Mandy Gallant, ErgoRisk Management Group Page 18

19 Mobility Strength Never Rare Infrequent Occasional Frequent Constant Usual (kg) Ma (kg) Essential Duty 3 Walk Behind Sweeper Operator Cleaning Sweeper a. Physical Demands Frequency During Duty Weight Lifting Floor to Knuckle 5 23 Bag of debris, hose, hydrant wrench, screens, tailgate ramp Lifting Knuckle to Waist <5 6 Screens and filters, wrench and hose out of back of trailer Lifting Over Shoulder Carrying with Handles Carrying without Handles 5 23 Hydrant wrench, hose, bag of debris Pushing Upper Etremity Pushing Hips/Legs assist ~10 23 Install hydrant cap Pulling Upper Etremity Pulling Hip/Leg Assist Open/close hydrant, tip basket to empty it Reach Shoulder or Above If lift hose up high to clean a certain area Reach Below Shoulder Hosing down low on sweeping Handling Hydrant wrench, hose, screens, garbage bag, basket Fine finger movements Neck - Static Fleion Neck Static Neutral Neck Static Etension Neck Static Rotation Throwing Sitting Standing Standing in once place to clean Walking Walking around sweeper to clean Running/Jumping Climbing Bending/Stooping Cleaning, removing filters and tray, open/close hydrant, install hydrant cap Crouching Removing/install bottom catch tray Kneeling Crawling Twisting Balancing Travelling Frequency Rating Definition for % of Duty The definitions for frequency ratings are contained at the end of the Table (page 21). Report prepared for City of Vancouver by Mandy Gallant, ErgoRisk Management Group Page 19

20 Work Environment Sensory / Perception Essential Duty 3 Walk Behind Sweeper Operator Cleaning Sweeper (cont) a. Physical Demands (continued) Frequency During Duty N R I O F C Hear/Conversations Cell phone, questions from public Hear/Other Sounds Sirens, alarms, vehicles Vision/Far Awareness of surroundings Vision/Near Vision/Colour Vision/Depth Perception/Spatial Perception/Form Feeling Speech Cell phone, questions from public Inside Work Outside Work Slippery Weather dependent, snow/ice/rain Congested worksite Depends on time of day, but typically choose hydrant away from public areas Chemical Irritants Confined Space Entry Vapour Fumes From debris swept up Noise Street noise and vehicle noise Proimity to moving objects Pedestrians, vehicles nearby Hazardous Machines Electrical hazard Sharp/Hazardous Tools Radiant/Thermal Energy Ehaust pipe is eposed when cleaning a certain part of the sweeper, can be hot Hot/Cold Weather dependent Humid Weather dependent Environmental Dust Depends on if a dry day or have been using water jet to keep down dust in basket Organic Substances Medical Waste Blood Products Lighting Issues Direct Lighting Issues Indirect Vibration Whole Body Vibration Hand/Arm If need to turn sweeper on briefly to reposition it or when raising basket Report prepared for City of Vancouver by Mandy Gallant, ErgoRisk Management Group Page 20

21 Never / Rare Infrequent / Occasional Frequent / Constant Essential Duty 3 Walk Behind Sweeper Operator Cleaning Sweeper (cont) b. Cognitive and Psychosocial Demands Frequency During Duty Degree of Supervision Time Pressure Attention to Detail Make sure all areas are thoroughly cleaned and nothing is plugged Memory Requirements Putting things back together correctly Interact with co-workers Interact with public Work Alone Reading Writing Irregular Hours Operating Equipment (sweeper turned off for cleaning, unless need to reposition it) Frequency Rating Definitions for % of Duty The frequency rating definitions are from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT, 1991, 4th edition) published by the US Department of Labor. Percentage of Duty Never 0 % Rare 0-1 % Infrequent 2-5 % Occasional 6-33 % Frequent % Constant % STRENGTH Strength Category Weight Handled 13. Limited Up to 5 kg. 14. Light 5 kg. to 10 kg. 15. Medium 10 kg. to 20 kg. 16. Heavy >20 kg Report prepared for City of Vancouver by Mandy Gallant, ErgoRisk Management Group Page 21