Consider the following scenario:

The CEO of Machines Unlimited recently presented the annual safetyreport at each of the company’s locations. He noted that too many work-relatedMSDs are occurring throughout the company and that 98 employees were requiredto take time off last year due to MSD related issues (primarily back andshoulder injuries). This cost the company valuable time, put more strain onemployees to keep up with production deadlines (increasing injury risks evenfurther), and increased the company’s injury- and illness-related experiencemodifier rates, which will likely result in a significant increase in workers’compensation insurance rates if the trend continues.

As safety manager for the plant you work at, you are responsible forpreventing occupational injuries and illnesses in your facility. The CEO hasrequested that the safety manager at each facility implement an action planto incorporate exposure assessment, utilize hierarchy of controls inaddressing ergonomics related hazards, increase workplace monitoring, andincrease medical surveillance (to catch potential MSDs early before theybecome something more serious). The completed action plans are to be emaileddirectly to her and the respective plant managers upon completion.

Please develop an action plan for your facility that reflects the CEO’srequest. In considering shoulder and back injury prevention, discuss the valueof training employees on the importance of lifting mechanics to include somediscussion on “load moment” and how the distance that one’s arms extend beyondthe body while holding a load can put excess strain on the shoulders and backwhen lifting. Provide a mathematical example of a 12-pound electrical motorheld close to the body vs. a situation where the load is held at 20 inchesfrom the body to help emphasize your point (Hint: Make sure you read all ofthe required readings in addition to the book chapters).

Also, as instructed by the CEO, make sure that you touch on the importanceof hierarchy of controls and a need to consider engineering solutions to limitunnecessary lifting and twisting tasks. Do not forget to also include ways tomonitor the workplace for ergonomics related hazards and how medicalsurveillance can help to keep MSD related symptoms from getting worse.

As a whole, your case study/action plan must be two pages in length anddouble spaced. You must follow APA guidelines throughout your assignment. Allsources used, including the textbook must be referenced; paraphrased andquoted material must have accompanying citations.