Upper Limb Disorder Checklist
Activity: / Assessor’s Name(s):Date: / Review Date:
Problems to look for when making an Assessment / Ways of reducing the riskof injury / Comments
The tasks, do they involve: / Is it possible to:
Highly repetitive work – for example more than 30 repetitions a minute? / YES/NO / Work co-operatively with co-workers on a range of related tasks, so the same actions are not repeated so frequently? / YES/NO
Awkward reaching requiring twisting, stooping or extended arm movements? / YES/NO / Adjust the layout to improve postures – place items within easy reach? / YES/NO
Sudden or jerky movements of the arms? / YES/NO / Identify ways of avoiding such movements (e.g. better tools)? / YES/NO
Awkward head and neck postures (bent or twisted)? / YES/NO / Get better lighting or a better work height to improve head position? / YES/NO
Work above shoulder height? / YES/NO / Use a platform to stand on, or lower the work? / YES/NO
Application of high impact forces? / YES/NO / Use a powered tool, or find a better way to avoid the impact? / YES/NO
Insufficient rest or recovery time? / YES/NO / Vary the work, allowing one set of muscles to rest while another is used? Take short breaks during the working day. / YES/NO
A work rate imposed by a process, e.g. handling items on a production line? / YES/NO / Use, e.g. a ‘holding table’ so items can accumulate, if necessary? Where someone does not keep pace with the line, items can wait in the holding area until they can be dealt with. / YES/NO
Standing for prolonged periods? / YES/NO / Encourage, e.g. job rotation and breaks? / YES/NO
Use a raised seat and footrest to allow alternately sitting and standing while doing the work? / YES/NO
Problems to look for when making an Assessment / Ways of reducing the risk of injury / Comments
The Product: / Is it possible:
Is it awkward to position and or hold? / YES/NO / Provide a jig or clamp to orientate or hold the product in a convenient position? / YES/NO
Does it need high assembly forces due to poor tolerances? / YES/NO / Identify ways to reduce force by, e.g. improving alignment, making sure screw threads are clear? / YES/NO
Is it heavy? / YES/NO / Automate to avoid handling? / YES/NO
Is it difficult to manipulate? / YES/NO / Improve the flexibility and means of holding by warming stiff material or using tools to provide a better grip? / YES/NO
The working environment, are there: / Is it possible to:
Constraints on posture? / YES/NO / Remove obstructions to free movements? / YES/NO
Hot/cold/humid conditions? / YES/NO / Prevent extremes of hot and cold? / YES/NO
The working environment, are there: / Is it possible to:
Uncomfortable draughts? / YES/NO / Deflect air from exposed skin? / YES/NO
Poor lighting conditions? / YES/NO / Improve lighting? / YES/NO
Restrictions on movements or posture from clothes or personal protective equipment (PPE) / YES/NO / Provide protective clothing or PPE that is less restrictive? / YES/NO
Individual capacity, does the job: / Is it possible to:
Require unusual capability, e. g. above-average strength or dexterity? / YES/NO / Give more information, e.g. about the range of tasks they are likely to face? / YES/NO
Endanger those with a health problem or learning/physical disability? / YES/NO / Pay more attention to those who have a disability? / YES/NO
Endanger pregnant woman? By e. g. exposing them to particularly hot/cold temperatures? / YES/NO / Take extra care of pregnant workers, e. g. by introducing extra breaks? / YES/NO
Problems to look for when making an Assessment / Ways of reducing the risk of injury / Comments
Individual capacity, does the job: / Is it possible to:
Call for special information or training? / YES/NO / Provide more training? / YES/NO
YES/NO / Get advice from an occupational health advisor? / YES/NO
Job aids and equipment / Is it possible to:
Are objects held in place by hand? / YES/NO / Provide jigs to better locate objects? / YES/NO
Are there high grip forces? / YES/NO / Provide jigs to hold objects, better handles etc? / YES/NO
Are tools handles imposing awkward wrist postures? / YES/NO / Select handles which allow a straight wrist when used? / YES/NO
Do power tools impose a high loading on the hand and wrist? / YES/NO / Select lighter, better balance tools? / YES/NO
Are assembly forces high? / YES/NO / Use tool balancers (e.g. spring loaded cables or counterbalanced arms) to help support the tool? / YES/NO
Are working heights suitable? / YES/NO / Ensure screw threads are clear, is better quality control needed to ensure pieces align properly? / YES/NO
Are knife forces high? / YES/NO / Investigate sharpening regimes, better knives? / YES/NO
YES/NO / Select benches or tables which provide convenient work heights? / YES/NO
Work organisation factors: / Is there scope to:
Is the work repetitive or boring? / YES/NO / Enlarge tasks to reduce the monotony? / YES/NO
Is the work machine or system paced? / YES/NO / Build in flexibility for timing operations by providing local controls, buffer stores or more batch-based working? / YES/NO
Do workers feel the demands of the work are excessive? / YES/NO / Make workloads and deadlines more achievable? / YES/NO
Problems to look for when making an Assessment / Ways of reducing the risk of injury / Comments
Work organisation factors: / Is there scope to:
Have workers little control of the work and working methods? / YES/NO / Encourage good communication and teamwork? / YES/NO
Is there poor communication between managers and employees? / YES/NO / Involve workers in decisions? / YES/NO
YES/NO / Provide better training and information? / YES/NO
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