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Evisceration
Task 9: Gizzard Table-Peeler Operator
Employee
presses the inside of gizzard against a rotating drum with a raspy surface
that peels the
inner lining from the gizzard. Employee feeds peeled gizzards to bagging area.
Hazards of this task may include:
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Hands/fingers getting caught by rollers
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Hazardous Situation:
As workers move gizzards over
peeler, fingers may get caught in rollers.
Possible Solutions:
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Prohibit employees from wearing long sleeves, gloves, or jewelry.
- Provide cutoff switch in immediate vicinity of operator.
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Reaching
across high and/or wide work surface
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Hazardous Situation:
Employees repeatedly reach to pull product to the peeler. Repetitive reaching stresses the shoulder and upper back.
Possible Solutions:
- Use
diverter
bars to push product closer to employee.
- Reduce width of
table so product is presented closer to employee.
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Position work fixtures so all activities of the task can be
performed with the elbows in close to the torso.
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Tilt work surface so product
slides to employee.
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Standing
for a long time
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Hazardous Situation:
Standing for a long time reduces blood flow to the legs, forces isolated muscles to work for
an extended
time, and increases risk of fatigue and varicose veins.
Possible Solutions:
- Install
sit/stand stools, which allow
employees to lean and have their weight supported while still remaining in an upright
posture.
- Rotate
employees to tasks that do not require prolonged standing.
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Provide
shoe insoles that cushion the feet and spread foot pressure over a larger surface.
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Provide a foot rest
in front of employees so they can shift their posture.
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Prolonged
and forceful finger exertion
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Hazardous Situation:
Employees use finger force to press gizzards against rotating
drums for the majority of the task. Significant finger force must be exerted since the product
is small and slippery. The wrist is usually bent during this process to place gizzards in the
proper alignment. Exerting finger force for a prolonged time can stretch and fray tendons.
Bending the wrist while exerting finger force can create further damage to tendons and their
sheath, which can lead to injuries of the hand, wrist, and elbow.
Possible Solutions:
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Rotate
employees to tasks that use different body parts or motions.
- Align peeler
to reposition employee to minimize wrist
bending.
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Maintain machine so it works at
maximum efficiency.
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