Bed Manufacturers Don't Go to Sleep on Injuries

Employees in the bed manufacturing industry suffer manual handling injuries such as back and upper limb disorders twice as often as those in any other manufacturing sector. A good practices industry report cited recent steps bed manufacturers in Great Britain took to successfully reduce manual handling injuries.

Key risk activities were identified by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), supported by the National Bed Federation. Companies are encouraged in implement solutions most workable for them.

Key Risk Activities

1. Tape-edging – highest risk

2. Handling (generally carried above the head) – high risk

3. Divan assembly and dressing – medium risk

4. Mattress assembly – medium risk

5. Tufting – medium risk

6. Spring assembly and hand stitching of mattresses – medium risk

In a series of seminars, bed manufacturers were given the report findings and asked to produce three-year action plans to show how they could improve health and safety in these areas.

Following this period, HSE noted a range of improvements were made by the seven pilot companies that were revisited, including the introduction of new mechanized equipment and handling aids, and better storage arrangements to reduce the need for manual handling.

One company nearly halved the number of manual handling injuries reported. Other companies noted the new ways of working to reduce manual handling increased their productivity.

Jessica Alexander, executive director of the National Bed Federation, noted, "It is encouraging that a number of bed manufacturers have shown their commitment to the health and safety of their employees by welcoming new ways of working. (workersxzcompxzkit)

"We now want to ensure this good practice is shared across industry with the message that it can also make good business sense not only by reducing the likelihood of injuries, but also by potentially increasing productivity."

Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers’ Compensation costs, including airlines, healthcare, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. Contact him: Robert_Elliott@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.

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