Paula has worked for Brindle Corporation for 3 years. During this time, she has worked as a machine operator/cell leader in various work cells. Recently, the plant went to mandatory 12-hour shifts and plans to remain on this schedule for several months. Paula’s present work cell is manufacturing 3-inch diameter exhaust tubes that are made from stainless steel. These tubes get a hole punched in them, a flange welded on, and burrs ground off. The pipe then gets placed into a gage to check that it was made correctly. (The tubes weigh about six pounds.) Paula has been performing the welding operation. She leans into the machine and loads the part into a fixture then positions the flange. Both pieces are clamped (using hand clamps) into position and the machine is cycled by depressing two palm buttons. The gaging operation requires placing the finished part into the gage and clamping it (using hand clamps) into place. A pin is depressed to verify the position of the hole and a plate slides in to verify the position of the welded flange. For the last couple of weeks, Paula has been experiencing discomfort in her wrists. This has occurred after going home and relaxing so at first she didn’t think it was work-related. The pain lessens as she does her work throughout the day but returns in the evenings. She has now reached a point where she is having trouble picking things up or opening jars. She brought the situation to the attention of her supervisor. He has adjusted the assignments in the work cell so now Paula will operate the welder only six hours and will gage parts for the other six. Please provide One or more suggested solutions, with clear explanations of the strengths and weaknesses of each solution and with each solution supported.
Paula has worked for Brindle Corporation for 3 years. During this time, she has worked as a machine operator/cell leader in various work cells. Recently, the plant went to mandatory 12-hour shifts and plans to remain on this schedule for several months.
Paula’s present work cell is manufacturing 3-inch diameter exhaust tubes that are made from stainless steel. These tubes get a hole punched in them, a flange welded on, and burrs ground off. The pipe then gets placed into a gage to check that it was made correctly. (The tubes weigh about six pounds.)
Paula has been performing the welding operation. She leans into the machine and loads the part into a fixture then positions the flange. Both pieces are clamped (using hand clamps) into position and the machine is cycled by depressing two palm buttons.
The gaging operation requires placing the finished part into the gage and clamping it (using hand clamps) into place. A pin is depressed to verify the position of the hole and a plate slides in to verify the position of the welded flange.
For the last couple of weeks, Paula has been experiencing discomfort in her wrists. This has occurred after going home and relaxing so at first she didn’t think it was work-related. The pain lessens as she does her work throughout the day but returns in the evenings.
She has now reached a point where she is having trouble picking things up or opening jars. She brought the situation to the attention of her supervisor. He has adjusted the assignments in the work cell so now Paula will operate the welder only six hours and will gage parts for the other six.
Please provide One or more suggested solutions, with clear explanations of the strengths and weaknesses of each solution and with each solution supported.
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