MSDs: why are they important in the industry?
It turns out that the repetitive character of certain gestures, often carried out in a mechanical way, without taking into account the ergonomic postures... is part of the daily life of certain operators, having to carry or handle important loads: bags or other containers...
How to reduce these MSDs in order to reduce the costs generated each year?
Preserving the wealth of operators: a real challenge
Ligaments, joints, back pain... Operators are often subject to these disorders, triggered in particular by working conditions that are not always the best.
Beyond the human aspects and human resources, this is a major issue in the industry because it will impact production. The cost of a TMS, for the company, is considerable.
In its report (March 2021), the Health Insurance has indicated the sectors particularly affected by musculoskeletal disorders and, unsurprisingly, 43% are in the industrial sector:
- Agri-food
- Building and public works
- Metal industry
Some figures on MSDs in industrial sectors heavily affected by MSDs
Agri-food
97% of recognized occupational diseases in the food industry are related to MSDs
>> 930,000 working days lost due to work stoppages
>> 77 million in contributions paid by agri-food companies
Building and public works (BTP)
91% of occupational diseases recognized in the building and public works sector are related to MSDs
>> 1.8 million working days are lost due to the work stoppages of affected employees.
>> 186 million euros in contributions are paid by companies in the sector
Metallurgical industries
79% of occupational diseases recognized in the metal industry sector are related to MSDs.
2.7 million working days are lost due to employee work stoppages.
92% of MSDs in the sector affect the upper limbs (shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands).
55% of occupational accidents in the sector are caused by manual handling.
Many customers want to invest in powder handling systems to reduce the physical strain on their operators and thus limit the risk of MSDs, which can have a significant impact on productivity.
What solutions to MSD risks in industry?
- Communicate with employees on the appropriate positions and gestures to adopt on a daily basis...
- Hydration: The body needs to be hydrated throughout the day. It is recommended to drink at least 1.5 L of water per day.
- Picking up an object with respect to its skeleton: the opening angle of the limbs must be taken into account and not too large.
- ... and on the positions to avoid!
- Repeated twisting of the trunk
- Raising the arms and working above the shoulders
- Contortion of the body in cramped / difficult to access spaces
- Optimize your production processes
Performing repetitive movements can lead to MSDs in the medium and long term. A gesture is considered repetitive if the movements are similar and performed every 15 seconds, over a working time corresponding to 50% of the time.
Our hoppers are designed to be man's height in order to have the suitable postures.
They can be equipped with a bag emptying system and a hood to prevent dust from escaping.
