Answer

Ergonomic Safety

 Injuries and low back pain arising from engaging in strenuous activities of manual lifting have remained to be one of the factors negatively influencing the health and safety of employees in the workplace. Dormohammadi, Motamedzade,  Sardrodi, Zarei, Asghari, and Musavi (2013) report that significant measures have been established to control work-related injuries and human suffering likely to be experienced in the workplace. Despite this, several cases associated with workplace injuries is still on the rise. Calculating a lifting equation is fundamental in the workplace since it is the only tool which outlines the values to be observed to prevent disability and back pain. This described study was carried out to reveal the potential for back pain and injuries development in the workplace based on the computed recommended weight limit (RWL) and lifted index.

Report Details

                According to Dormohammadi et al. (2013), the lifting index (LI) and the RWL can be utilized to establish on job problems. Through the computations, it was determined that RWL (origin) value was 30.1 lbs. while that of the destination was 30.8 lbs. during the time of the examination. After further computations, it is revealed that the value of the lifting index (origin) was 1.2 while that of the destination was established as 1.1. The activity showed that the weight that the employees were expected to lift was more than the estimated value of the RWL at the origin and destination. The employees were required to lift 35 lbs. while the RWL value at the source and destination was estimated at 30.1 lbs. and 30.8 lbs. in that order. The LI values show that the job was stressful at the origin and the target, thus increasing the potential for injuries of Low Back Pain (LBP) development.

Conclusion

                To conclude, the employees have a right to safety while in the workplace. Common workplace injuries which can result from heavy load lifting should be avoided by ensuring that the employees only lift the weight which matches their RWL. Developing complications such as lower back pain can arise in cases where the members of the workforce are required to raise a heavy load and at the same time deliver it to a designated position. To uphold safety, the management should have effective strategies in place focused on safeguarding the health of the workers in such cases. 

Recommendations

                The potential for injuries and LBP development for the employees in the outlined workplace is significantly high. As a result, there is need to reduce the risk for the workers. One of the effective strategies for consideration includes adapting the use of a cart to ensure that the objects being lifted by the employees can be pushed to its destination through the use of a machine. The outlined recommendation suggests that the members of the workforce will be delivering heavy material without necessarily lifting them manually which is effective in reducing the chances of injuries development. The second recommendation to be considered includes reducing the size of the load. Cutting down on size means reducing the weight as well making lifting much more manageable. In the outlined case, the chance that the employee will develop lower back pain is also reduced. If redesigning the weight is not possible, the company can also purchase other technology which aids in the delivery of process of load transfer. For instance, buying a mechanical lift to facilitate the process of transporting the heavy load to the destination would come in handy in safeguarding the health of the employees.