Reducing Hazards at Life Blood.

The Australian Red Cross Blood Service introduced a nationwide programme to tackle hazardous manual tasks in both their processing and donor centres.

Identifying and controlling the risks

Productivity Matters were engaged in Victoria and New South Wales in both the Processing facilities and Blood Donor Centres over a 6-month basis to engage and identify hazardous manual tasks and collaborate with Australian Red Cross Blood Service Managers and Employees to come up with controls or solutions that would assist in reducing the risks these proposed.

Reduced Employees on modified duties

A key outcome of our ergonomists involvement was the establishment of a new job rotation guideline for supervisors and staff of the processing facility that saw a 75% reduction in employees on modified duties. Employees also reported reduced overall discomfort levels because of the job rotation changes.

One of our engagements saw the implementation of job redesign guidelines in their Melbourne Processing centre, which resulted in nine employees no longer requiring restricted duties and a collaborative approach that saw perceived exertion scores lowered by up to 50%.

Innovation

The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood together with Productivity Matters and, with clinical direction from LaTrobe University, have commenced the introduction of the APHIRM Toolkit to three of their donor centres.

This has already created an uplift in overall culture and a change in language around risk. Full results will be known at the end of 2021.

What is the APHIRM Toolkit?

A Participative Hazard Identification and Risk Management toolkit for improving the risk management of musculoskeletal disorders.

Register your interest.