Page 79 - Hospital Authority Convention 2017

Service Enhancement Presentations

F7.3 Committed and Happy Staff 13:15 Room 421

Innovative Ways to Reduced Hand-arm Vibration Level
Leung KK, Lam C
Occupational Safety and Health, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong HOSPITAL AUTHORITY CONVENTION 2017
Introduction
Barrier-free design recommends design considerations to facilitate greater independence of people with disabilities by
making the built-environment more accessible and friendly. This is even more important in hospital settings. Queen Mary
Hospital (QMH) should therefore ensure our facilities to comply with the statutory requirements on barrier-free facilities. The
high patient volume in the relatively confined floor areas induced noise and hand-arm vibration problems to our staff and
even patients/visitors when passing through the Tactile Guide Path (TGP). Hong Kong West Cluster (HKWC) Occupational
and Safety Health Team has carried out various improvement works to minimise the impacts of TGP on daily operation of the
hospital.

Objectives
To reduce hand-arm vibration level generated from the Tactile Guide Path (TGP)in QMH.

Methodology
The hand-arm vibration level while the trolley was being pushed across the TGP was measured by “SVAN 958A Four
Channels Sound and Vibration Analyser”. A survey of the overseas standards related to hand-arm vibration was conducted.
The trolleys employed for transportation within the hospital complex was studied in detail. A trolley with a new design was
proposed. A prototype was produced by a local manufacturer. Hand-arm vibration study was conducted again. The prototype
trolley was then sent for trial by supporting staff members in QMH and HKWC hospitals. In view of the production lag time, an
additional innovative measure of using anti-vibration polymer handrail/handle cover was employed for trolleys currently in use
after demonstration of effectiveness in reduction in hand-arm vibration. Feedbacks from staff were collected during the trial
periods.

Results
The hand-arm vibration level when the existing trolley was being pushed across the TGP was 23.77 m/s^2. The prototype
trolley was built with more study materials and novel caster design. The hand-arm vibration level recorded on this prototype
trolley was 10.44 m/s^2, which is significantly reduced. The hand-arm vibration level recorded with the anti-vibration polymer
handrail/handle cover was 17.73 m/s^2, which was also reduced when compared with baseline data. The feedback on the
new trolley design from the supporting staff was very favourable. The design of the anti-vibration polymer handrail/handle
cover was further improved after staff feedbacks.

Conclusion
Any alteration in the design of hospital facilities might pose new hazards to the staff. Our approach to tackle the impacts of
the TGP had shown the effectiveness and importance of tailor made equipment. Quality improvement would definitely be
required after taking into consideration of the feedback of end-users. While complying with the regulatory requirements of
barrier-free design, it is important to sustain a safe and healthy workplace in QMH and a caring culture to our colleagues. Wednesday, 17 May

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