MAKING UP BUNKS: WORKING IN AWKWARD POSITIONS #40

	Making Up Bunks
Safety Management System 2007		SMS ST038 2007

Recently an employee felt a strain in his back after making bunks. How could this be prevented?

From your date of hire, you have been told to avoid back injury by bending our knees when we lift, keeping the load close and avoid twisting motions. These safety rules may be appropriate for simple, straight lifting of materials, but what about back care when working in awkward positions?

Work tasks that require reaching or stretching away from the body while handling materials and performing other tasks, such as making up bunks, can also put excessive strain on the vertebral discs and soft tissues in the back.

An awkward position is a work posture that distorts (twists) the spine from its natural curves, puts unbalanced pressure on the discs, and can strain arm, leg, or back tissues if held for any length of time.

These are some of the physical movements/characteristics of making bunks that may place you in "awkward’ positions:

Repetitive bending and reaching in confined or small areas where there is a limited range of motion

Do not stay in the same position too long (when you feel tightness in the back, shoulder, and neck areas), stand and stretch, taking the strain off those areas
Position yourself as close as possible to the job, avoid over-reaching.

Working overhead

When working overhead, stand on a steady ladder, keeping the back posture in its natural curve to avoid uneven spinal loading.

Review the attached JSA on making bunks

SONOCO JOB SAFETY ANALYSIS						Making A Bunk
OPERATION			DATE				STEWARD
SAFETY EQUIPMENT	Safety Shoes				3-Step Ladder			Hard Hat
NOTE: A ROUTINE OF BRIEF WARM-UP (STRETCHING) EXERCISES FOR 5 MINUTES WILL HELP LOOSEN UP THE MUSCLES AND GET BLOOD TO THEM TO POSSIBLY HELP AVOID A BACK INJURY OR BACK PAIN.
JOB STEPS		SAFETY HAZARDS		SAFE PROCEDURES
Carrying linen to and from storage areas; used linen to be bagged and cleaned		Strains Slips, trips and falls		Carry or bag only the amount you can comfortably carry or lift Use correct lifting techniques Clear path for obstacles from pickup point to drop-off point
Making top bunk (IF BUNK HAS ATTACHED STATIONARY LADDER)		Slip and fall		DO NOT USE BOTTOM BUNK OR CHAIR OR OTHER MAKESHIFT LADDER FOR TASK Climb ladder, place feet as wide as possible for balance Reach (to tuck or change and tuck bedding) only as far as arms can reach in front of body Do not overreach where body is leaning out over the side of ladder Once bedding is secure in front of stationary ladder, go to 3-step ladder Center 3-step ladder in front of bunk area to be covered, sliding it as bedding is tucked or changed Do not hold an awkward position for too long, pause and stretch and straighten out the neck, back and shoulders Take time and do not get in a hurry Concentrate on task
		Twisting and strains		When standing on stationary ladder, go only as high as you can to COMFORTABLY reach the rear of the bunk DO NOT STAND ON TOP RUNG Do not overreach to the side of ladder beyond body’s center of gravity Once task is beyond reach, go to 3-step ladder, or move the 3-step ladder Do not hold an awkward position for too long, pause and stretch and straighten out the neck, back and shoulders
Making bottom bunk		Hitting head		Allow for clearance overhead from top bunk when completing this task Do not raise up suddenly and hit head on top bunk – wear hard hat as needed
		Twisting and strains		Position yourself close to the bunk and still have feet solidly on floor with good body balance When leaning forward, if NECESSARY and POSSIBLE, support the weight of upper body with free hand and arm When securing bedding, move feet and slide body, do not overreach and twist body Do not hold an awkward position for too long, pause and stretch and straighten out the neck, back and shoulders Take time and do not get in a hurry Concentrate on task