Types of improvements
Three main areas of potential improvement in working conditions
are covered; work organisation and workstation design; the working environment;
and welfare facilities. In each of these areas, a great variety of measures were
found in all the countries which participated. Very often, these improvements
are outside the scope of national regulations or go beyond legal requirements.
They have frequently been adopted as means of increasing productivity. The main
types of improvements under each of these three headings are summarized below.
Work organisation and workstation design:
- simple changes in workstations, such as
machine-feeding devices, jigs and fixtures, better placement of components and
tools, improved layout of controls and displays, use of pneumatic devices,
introduction of less strenuous work methods and provision of platforms or
adjustable chairs;
- better materials handling, including the provision of
push-carts, use of leverage in tools and materials handling, improved methods of
lifting, use of mechanical aids and improved transportation routes;
- arrangements for good housekeeping, storage and access to
work locations, for example by clearing passageways, use of handrails,
installing storage shelves and racks, providing waste boxes or trays, improving
drainage and arranging easier and safer access to work areas;
- better job content and work schedules, including
re-design of tools and machines for less stressful operation, avoidance of
continuous standing, introduction of job rotation and insertion of frequent
short breaks.
The physical work environment:
- better lighting through installation of
skylights, painting walls in light colours, lowering or re-positioning lights,
improving lighting fixtures and arrangements to reduce glare and increase
contrast;
- reduction of heat and noise by isolation or screening
of sources, use of thermal barriers or noise dampeners, longer tools to enable
work further from heat sources, insulation of machines or parts producing heat
or noise and use of protective equipment;
- better handling, use and storage of hazardous
substances including prevention of spillage, dust control and enclosure of
hazardous processes;
- effective guards and other safety devices, including
locally-made guards, foot guards, face shields, metal sheet or mesh guards,
welding partitions, two-hand operating devices and handrails near dangerous
places;
- safe working procedures, including mechanical aids,
mechanical inter-locks, special warnings and instructions, improved work stands
allowing safe work motions, improved electrical wiring, ready access to fire
extinguishers and work methods which make injuries less likely.
Welfare facilities;
- improved sanitary facilities including
repair and cleaning of toilets and provision of waste bins, washing facilities
and changing rooms;
- provision of drinking water or other beverages and
arrangements for meals, such as safe water sources or filtering devices, a
tea break corner, a small canteen or eating place, arrangements for subsidised
meals and delivery of packed lunches;
- provision of recreation, child care and transport
facilities, such as sports facilities using available space, a reading
corner, creches or various arrangements for daily transportation of
workers.
