To use the V-MAC you need to:
- Be familiar with the MAC[1];
- Use the V-MAC graph alongside the MAC[2];
- Find out the weights of each load the worker handled during a shift;
- Find out the average distances loads are carried (if at all).
Downloading the V-MAC workbook
You can download the V-MAC workbook from here (.xls) [3]. Your computer needs to be able to use files created with Microsoft Excel 2003 or later.
Colour bands
The V-MAC uses exactly the same colour bands as the MAC[4].
What about different length shifts?
You can use the V-MAC for shift lengths between 4 and 12 hours. It takes account of allowances for breaks within a work shift.
It can't deal with shifts longer than 12 hours. If you have a shift system with longer shifts you should do a detailed risk assessment[5] instead of using the V-MAC.
Some definitions
Here is what we mean by some key terms:
- Lifting
- Picking up a load and putting it down again somewhere within 2 m of the start position.
- Load
- An item a worker picks up in the workplace.
- Carrying
- Picking up a load, walking a distance of at least 2 m while holding it in the arms, and putting it down again.
- Carry distance
- Where a task involves carrying many loads for different distances, the carry distance is the distance to the half-way point between the shortest carry and the longest carry.
- Shift length
- The total time somebody is expected to be in the workplace on a working day, including meal breaks and other rest breaks.