United States Postal Service - Case Study Example

?Critical Analysis of the US Postal service report Introduction The paper makes an effort in analyzing the report prepared by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in order to bring out ergonomic issues at the manual mail/ letter processing segment of the government. The hazards identified in the report therefore, pertain to a mailing company. The hazards are associated with the three kinds of mechanized mail processing machines. The report has been analyzed on the basis of the three aspects, the ergonomic issues, the research conducted, the findings and the recommendations. While analyzing the ergonomic issues the paper mainly focuses on the ergonomic issues that have been addressed in the report. The research conducted method focuses on the methodology part of the report, that is how the required and relevant information about the study has been acquired and the approach that has been undertaken in fulfilling the objective of the study. The ergonomic issues: The report reveals the health hazards that are associated with the work performed at an organization. The ergonomists at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) examined the ergonomic hazards that are associated with the particular work and whether that can result in musculoskeletal disorders. The report introduces the musculoskeletal disease that the employees are exposed to due to the kind of work they do. The report identifies the musculoskeletal hazards which arise from the repetitive movements of the upper limb of the employees working in the postal service organization. It not only identifies the problems associated with the work, but also focuses on the causes of the health hazards like forceful grasping of any tools or pinching anything with the help of the tool. For instance, the study reveals that the prolonged period of sitting or standing against a stool can aggravate the disorder. It also gives the measures of avoiding such hazards by suggesting ways such as tilting the seat pan or by maintaining the trunk in the neutral position. (Heta, 1993, p.4) The research Conducted: The research conducted is mainly based on primary observation of a specific ergonomic situation in a government organization. The report takes into account a case of the employees of the Denver general Mail facility. The health hazards has been analyzed and discussed in the paper. The paper identifies each kind of work that is being performed in the organization and what kind of health problems this might lead to. Hence an ethical dilemma also arises with respect to workplace. The paper adopts a case study based approach where a particular organization and situation has been identified and the discussion and recommendation revolves around it. The human resource aspect of the firm has been addressed in the paper. This is a discussion paper that takes into account several aspect of the issue, like the type of machines, the pace of work and other factors that are required in evaluating the situation properly. The paper after analyzing the problems recommends measures in avoiding those problems. The report also produces a comparative framework against working situations of the General Mail Facility (GMF) at Denver and Virginia. (Heta, 1993, pp.5-8) The Findings and recommendations: The findings of the paper revolve around the musculoskeletal disorder that the employee has to face as a result of their sitting postures and standing postures while working. In case of mail casing it has been found out that the work needs repetitive operations hence the organization has rightly provided the workers with the tilt chair facility. The report notes that the sit and stand stool provided to the employee rightly serves the purpose as it can be adjusted and accommodated accordingly. The report reveals that the works which are associated with the automatic mail processing machines requires frequent stooping which puts the employees in the danger of low back injury, hence a height size has been recommended to avoid the problem of low back disorders. The paper aptly takes into account the employee of all heights and recommends accordingly. It is not a generalized recommendation that is provided hence the paper becomes really helpful in avoiding health hazards while working. The report also lays down suggestion for the work of the sweepers and recommends the proper count to which stooping or bending is allowed in order to avoid back pain. Its not that only the working posture of the employees are observed and the findings and recommendation are done accordingly, the report also analyses the positions of the trays and other tools that are kept in the office. (Heta, 1993, pp. 15-18) While comparing the two offices, the report considers every aspect of both the offices and compares them. It draws a comparison between the trays that are used in the offices of the Denver and Virginia. The paper suggests a set of recommendations for the employee as well as for the employer (target audience). It brings into the notice of the employer the need of proper automation in some works, like sweeping. The report recommends the elimination of the extreme trunk flexion while taking any trays out of the racks. Some redesign options like raising the bottom of the mail carrier and the usage of smaller carriers have been suggested. It also suggests replacement of the old OCR machines with the new ones, as the old ones exposes the workers to ergonomic stresses. The recommendations suggested in the paper are not that expensive; on the contrary, it is cost effective and feasible. The recommendations are simple which would not require any costly change or adjustment in the organization. (Heta, 1993, pp.21-22) Conclusion The report reveals one of the several hazards that human species are exposed to while performing any task. It rightly identifies each domain of work in a mailing organization and points out the risk associated with it. The findings and the recommendation part of the report reveals a thorough and careful observation of the situation. According to the situation the report has provided simple and feasible recommendations to avoid the health hazards. The report not only provides the measures and suggestion to avoid musculoskeletal disorder it also draws a comparison between the working conditions of the two GMF firms located at different situation. The paper not only highlights the situation that could give rise to health problems but also points out the good measures that has been taken up by the employer and is a complete case study of ergonomics at the postal delivery service sector. Reference HHE Report No. HETA-92-0073-2337 (1993), United States Postal Service, General Mail Facility, Denver, Colorado Read More