Ergonomics offshore
Spotting the hazards and finding ergonomic solutions
What's it about?
The purpose of this resource pack is to provide an introduction to ergonomics for people who work offshore. It sets out to raise your awareness of some of the ergonomic problems in the offshore workplace; to explain the causes of ergonomic related accidents and injuries, and to provide some practical information to help reduce the risks. The overall aim is to reduce accidents and injuries and to make the jobs you do safer, easier and more efficient.
No previous knowledge of ergonomics is required as this pack provides a basic introduction to ergonomics and explains how it is of particular relevance to offshore work.
What's in it?
- A PowerPoint presentation [Zip 4.8mb] that can either be shown to a group of people or viewed by you as an individual - PDF version also available
- Notes and background information to support you or a trainer presenting the PowerPoint slides
- Checklists for assessing risks and providing practical solutions. These cover the different areas of an installation
How do I use it?
The resource pack can be used in a variety of ways. The presentation can be given in one session, for example as part of induction training, or in small chunks, for example in safety briefings. It is not be necessary to work through from start to finish. The presentation has a navigational guide that takes you directly to the slide you want to view.
The main headings are as follows:
- What is ergonomics?
- Accidents offshore
- How work affects injuries
- Hazard spotting
- Manual Handling
- Slips, trips and falls
- Poor posture
- Difficult access
- Difficult to use equipment
- Problems and solutions
The pack is organised by areas on an installation. The hazards are clearly explained, with photographs and illustrations. Ergonomic solutions are suggested with the intention that they can easily be carried out at a local level.
The PowerPoint presentation can either be led by a tutor or used by an individual. The text has been timed to arrive on the display screen in manageable chunks. The navigational guide allows you to move easily around the presentation. Tutor's notes are provided with each slide to give additional information and explanation of the slide.
The checklists are under the same headings as in the presentation, and summarise the key issues with a link made between the nature of the problem and the type of solution that may work. There is space for comments and suggested solutions are given for all potential problems. Checklists are provided for the following areas/activities:
- Abseil work
- Cabins
- Control room
- Crane cab
- Drilling
- Galley
- General issues
- Helideck
- Laundry
- Offices
- Paint spraying
- PPE
- Process plant
- Scaffolding
- Tools and equipment
- Wire line deck