Advanced Ergonomics

Unit VIII Assignment

This assignment involves completing two exercises, and the purpose is for you to apply the safety and health management systems approach to workplace ergonomics.

Exercise 1: Relating Countermeasure Strategies

Discuss the 10 generic countermeasure strategies proposed by Haddon as they relate to an incident that might have occurred on your worksite, or relate the countermeasures to something you have observed.

The 10 generic countermeasures are listed below:

(a) Prevent the initial buildup of energy.

(b) Reduce the potential energy.

(c) Prevent the release of the energy.

(d) Reduce the rate of release of energy.

(e) Separate the host from the energy source.

(f) Place a barrier between the host and energy source.

(g) Absorb the energy.

(h) Strengthen the susceptible host.

(i) Move rapidly in detect and counter the release.

(j) Take procedures to ameliorate the damage.

Your response should be at least 200 words in length.

Exercise 2:  Applying the Safety and Health Management Systems Approach to Workplace Ergonomics

This question involves reading the following passage, choosing one side of the debate, and then defending your choice by providing your rationale. Read the following passage and then decide who is at fault:  the company or the employee.

Our truck driver, Ben, injures his back while tying down the tarps on his flatbed trailer. He has to use four-inch straps to secure the load, and then has to cover the load with tarps which require the use of bungee cords (rubber straps) to secure the tarp.

Either defend the company and decide that the root cause for the back injury was due to the failure of the employee to properly follow the processes and procedures, or defend the employee and decide that the root cause of the back injury was due to the failure of the company to provide a hazard-free workplace. To successfully answer this question, you might have to do a bit of research. Consider the following sources: the OSHA standards, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules, and the textbook. Use APA Style to insert appropriate citations into your response. Your response should be at least 200 words in length.