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Hi all.
I work for a well known vehicle manufacturer. In April 2021, we moved bodyshops. I was placed on a zone where we assemble the rear quarters for the vehicles, we currently place them on large dollies. When I firth came onto the zone, we were using what they call dragons, which were smaller, easier to use. Recently, I have been diagnosed with tennis elbow in both arms, which I believe is caused by my job. I am 5'5 1/2 inches. the quarters are quite large as they are for an SUV. Size and weight will follow as I need to measure and weigh the parts/ dolly when no one can see. I have to take the quarter from a jig, exit the cell, raise the quarter above my head, placing it on another jig which enables me to spin the part around, 180 degrees. I this pick the quarter back up, lowering it to me chest, walk five or six feet to the dolly. I then have to raise the quarter with my arms above shoulder hight, walk half way into the dolly then reach full arms length to place the quarter on to the dolly. ts the first to to three which is hard to reach as the cutout at the bottom of the dolly allows me to walk in half way. I checked the wes/qps book, which shows the process for the whole cycle, (from start of procedure to finish before repeating the process over again. Time of injury 30 and hour (3 dolly's), which has now been increased to 35 per hour). I noticed the safety section which shows manual handling procedures. This was implemented in 2021 when we were using the smaller dragons. I queried this with my company, where I was informed that ergonomic tests were carried out ever 12 months, the last being Nov 2022, the job is fine. Its my belief that I should not be expected to lift above shoulder level, leaning forward with arms extended fully. My company are well known for covering thigs up. Although they maybe able to doctor the books, they cannot change the size/ weight of the part as its fully measured for the vehicle. The dolly would take time and money.
I am challenging procedures as I have been informed by the Group Leader, (not in a nice way), I will be assessed by Occupational Health where I will be found unfit for the zone, I will then have to enter the company's restriction programme. this is normally offered three jobs, each one worse than the last then you are out the door as the company cannot accommodate you. Its designed to get you out the company if they dont want you. The Union said there are no jobs in the bodyshop, so I will be moved to Trim and final. This is untrue, there are agency on jobs which I challenged. The union said there is a new rule, core workers can no longer bump agency off their jobs (this debunks service which has always been a part of the way things have been done.) This makes me think they want me out.There are no suitable jobs in trim,I will find myself out the door.
The company negligent, for when the union places me on the job, they never took into consideration that I have Osteoporosis/ Stenosis of the spine, with disc bulges/ disc infusions. This is on my medical record which the Union says they had no access to because of the GDPR18 regulations. The Union and managers are fully aware of my condition. I have always got on with what ever job they have given me as I dont want to cause trouble. The only reason its on my medical record is in 2016 I collapsed at work, so they sent me to Hospital The Hospital scanned my back and made the diagnoses.
I believe they will use this to get me out the company. Is there anything I can do. The managers, Union and occupation health all work together against the operatives. Occupational health are due to assess the job of Thursday. Health and Safety said there is nothing to asses as the part passed the ergonomics test. No one has ever spoken to the operators, nor have they taken my ailments into consideration. I believe, but cannot prove the job was signed off from an armchair, not even assessed.
I have included two pictures. The first shows the dolly (no cutout so pallet was retuned), the second shows the part on the dolly. to give you an idea of the size, my nose comes to the bottom, middle of the part above the pointy bit.
I work for a well known vehicle manufacturer. In April 2021, we moved bodyshops. I was placed on a zone where we assemble the rear quarters for the vehicles, we currently place them on large dollies. When I firth came onto the zone, we were using what they call dragons, which were smaller, easier to use. Recently, I have been diagnosed with tennis elbow in both arms, which I believe is caused by my job. I am 5'5 1/2 inches. the quarters are quite large as they are for an SUV. Size and weight will follow as I need to measure and weigh the parts/ dolly when no one can see. I have to take the quarter from a jig, exit the cell, raise the quarter above my head, placing it on another jig which enables me to spin the part around, 180 degrees. I this pick the quarter back up, lowering it to me chest, walk five or six feet to the dolly. I then have to raise the quarter with my arms above shoulder hight, walk half way into the dolly then reach full arms length to place the quarter on to the dolly. ts the first to to three which is hard to reach as the cutout at the bottom of the dolly allows me to walk in half way. I checked the wes/qps book, which shows the process for the whole cycle, (from start of procedure to finish before repeating the process over again. Time of injury 30 and hour (3 dolly's), which has now been increased to 35 per hour). I noticed the safety section which shows manual handling procedures. This was implemented in 2021 when we were using the smaller dragons. I queried this with my company, where I was informed that ergonomic tests were carried out ever 12 months, the last being Nov 2022, the job is fine. Its my belief that I should not be expected to lift above shoulder level, leaning forward with arms extended fully. My company are well known for covering thigs up. Although they maybe able to doctor the books, they cannot change the size/ weight of the part as its fully measured for the vehicle. The dolly would take time and money.
I am challenging procedures as I have been informed by the Group Leader, (not in a nice way), I will be assessed by Occupational Health where I will be found unfit for the zone, I will then have to enter the company's restriction programme. this is normally offered three jobs, each one worse than the last then you are out the door as the company cannot accommodate you. Its designed to get you out the company if they dont want you. The Union said there are no jobs in the bodyshop, so I will be moved to Trim and final. This is untrue, there are agency on jobs which I challenged. The union said there is a new rule, core workers can no longer bump agency off their jobs (this debunks service which has always been a part of the way things have been done.) This makes me think they want me out.There are no suitable jobs in trim,I will find myself out the door.
The company negligent, for when the union places me on the job, they never took into consideration that I have Osteoporosis/ Stenosis of the spine, with disc bulges/ disc infusions. This is on my medical record which the Union says they had no access to because of the GDPR18 regulations. The Union and managers are fully aware of my condition. I have always got on with what ever job they have given me as I dont want to cause trouble. The only reason its on my medical record is in 2016 I collapsed at work, so they sent me to Hospital The Hospital scanned my back and made the diagnoses.
I believe they will use this to get me out the company. Is there anything I can do. The managers, Union and occupation health all work together against the operatives. Occupational health are due to assess the job of Thursday. Health and Safety said there is nothing to asses as the part passed the ergonomics test. No one has ever spoken to the operators, nor have they taken my ailments into consideration. I believe, but cannot prove the job was signed off from an armchair, not even assessed.
I have included two pictures. The first shows the dolly (no cutout so pallet was retuned), the second shows the part on the dolly. to give you an idea of the size, my nose comes to the bottom, middle of the part above the pointy bit.
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