A woodchuck

Project WOODCHUCK.

The Ergonomic Assessment of an Animal Care Facility
 

Contents
 Background
  • Introduction
  • Site Visit

    Data collection
  • Site Inventory
  • Questionnaire
  • Interview

    Observation
  • Environment
  • RULA

    Evaluation

  • Data Analysis I
  • Data Analysis II
  • Suggestions

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    Site Visit

    In order to better understand the logistics and background of the organization we were studying, the team arranged for a guided tour of the facility. In addition to observing the physical environment, we tried to uncover whatever we could about the nature of the work and the problems the employees were experiencing. Some of our findings are detailed below:

    Site: The facility housed woodchuck and rabbit colonies Of these, the woodchuck facility was chosen as the focus of our investigation

    Employees:

    • The number of workers was recorded
    • Experience: Most of the workers had been employed here for 5 to 10 years.
    • The employees' work schedules were recorded:
    • The employees' work activities were analyzed. These included:
      • Cleaning cages and pens
      • Dispensing food
      • Checking woodchucks
    • Injuries:
      • Back and shoulder injuries were those most frequently reported
      • These injuries were experienced most often by workers who are between 35-40 years old
      • Frequency increased after 6 or 7 years of work experience
      • Injury reduction strategies include stretching and taking 5 minutes of break time for each hour worked
    Equipment:
    • Pens, upper & lower cages, pushcarts, food storage containers, bins, sponges, brooms and brushes
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    Site Inventory
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