Health, Safety and Environment - International Labour Organization

Manual 4:HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT FACT SHEETSJob designIt is important to design jobs taking into consideration human factors.Well-designed jobs consider the worker’s gender, mental and physicalcharacteristics, as well as health and safety conditions. A well-designedjob should do the following: allow the worker to vary the position of the body include a variety of mentally stimulating tasksallow the worker some decision-making latitude so she or he can varythe work activities according to personal needs, work habits and theworkplace environmentgive the worker a sense of accomplishmentprovide adequate training to teach the worker what tasks are requiredand how to perform themprovide adequate work/rest schedules which allow the worker enoughtime to complete tasks and to get sufficient restallow an adjustment period for new job tasksTrade union action checklist Identify if you have ergonomic problems by doing your own survey orquestionnaire, or body mapping with workers that may be affected Do a special HS&E check that concentrates on ergonomic hazards, using theinformation in this Fact Sheet Decide on the priorities with your members Ask your employer for a copy of risk assessments where you are concernedabout ergonomic hazards. Remember that a risk assessment is required underILO Convention No. 184 on Safety and Health in Agriculture Ensure that your employer has competent personnel dealing with ergonomics Make sure that you and your members are consulted about any ergonomicproblems and potential solutions Ensure that the employer’s safety policy and systems of work provide acommitment to designing work on the basis of sound ergonomic principles157 Health, Safety and EnvironmentA Series of Trade Union EducationManuals for Agricultural Workers