11 Easy Solutions to ReduceForceful Exertion Injuries

Forceful Exertion DangersForceful exertion is a common cause of employee injury in food processing plants. Lifting product, pushing carts, dumping product into vats or cooking pots, transferring product from a conveyor to

work station — all tasks commonly performed in a food processing plant — can result in back injuries or other types of musculoskeletal disorders.

Simply defined, force is the amount of muscular effort expended to perform work. It can range from small (the amount of force to push a button) to great (like repeatedly lifting and stacking product) and

includes everything in between.

The force used in a specific task directly affects the level of risk of employee injury. Exerting great amounts of force over a long period of time can result in fatigue and physical damage to the body.

Even single exertions of force, whether small or great, can lead to damage if not performed properly.

[ Front Slide Image via U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. Fifth Fleet cc]

Factors Affecting ForceThere are a number of factors that affect the amount and level of force required for

moving or handling product or tools, including1:

• Load shape, weight, dimensions, and bulkiness

• Grip type, position, and friction characteristics

• Amount of effort required to start and stop the load when moving it

• Length of time continuous force is applied by the muscles

• Number of times the load is handled per hour or per work shift

• Amount of associated vibration

• Body posture used• Resistance associated with moving the load• Duration of the task over the work shift• Environmental temperature• Amount of rotational force (e.g., torque

from tools or equipment)• Horizontal distance of the load from the

worker• Vertical location of the load (overhead,

waist level, or ground level)

1. Department of Industrial Relations Cal/OSHA Consultation Service Research and Education Unit. Ergonomics in Action: A Guide to Best Practices for the Food-Processing Industry. California: California Department of Industrial Relations, 2003. Print.

Reducing the RiskSo how do you reduce the risk of injury brought on by the exertion of force? There are two main

categories of improvements — Engineering and Administrative — you can make to reduce the risk of employee injuries in your plant.

Engineering ImprovementsThese simple ergonomic improvements made to your equipment and work flow can greatly reduce

the risk of employee injuries:

• Reduce the size of packages and boxes that need to be lifted and stacked• Reduce the weight of packages and boxes that need to be lifted and stacked• Include handles on packages and boxes• Outfit your plant with vacuum and pallet lifts• Invest in dumpers and tippers• Invest in lift-assisting devices, such as dollies, carts, and forklifts• Use chutes and slides to maneuver product from conveyors

Administrative ImprovementsThese simple administrative improvements made to your processes and work flow can greatly reduce

the risk of employee injuries:

• Train employees to use safe work practices when lifting, bending, and twisting• Train employees on the safe use of equipment• Developing a team model to assist with lifting heavier product• Replace lifting tasks with pushing or pulling tasks

Make an InvestmentThere are a number of ergonomic equipment solutions you can implement into the work flow of your

plant to reduce the risk of employee injury caused from forceful exertion, including:

• Dumpers and tippers• Chutes and slides• Pallet lifts• Vacuum lifts• Carts and mobile racks

View Ergonomic Solutions

About Fusion Tech

About Fusion Tech Fusion Tech Integrated, Inc. is a custom metal fabrication company with 15 years of experience and expertise in creating steel solutions for a variety of clients in the food processing, pharmaceutical, transportation, mining, renewable energy, and agricultural industries.

We specialize in providing innovative solutions for the food processing industry.

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