Even cake decorating has its job hazards. Just ask the
bakers at Zingerman’s Bakehouse in Ann Arbor, MI. But, by applying some basic
ergonomics principles, many of those risks can be eliminated or reduced. That’s
what a group of safety professionals learned during a recent ergonomic design
workshop sponsored by Humantech. At a bakery, risks include lifting and
pouring bulk-sized bags of ingredients such as flour or sugar, or twisting and
extended reaching when stirring large vats of batter, not to mention inserting
and removing items from deep industrial-sized ovens. Effective ergonomics plans
can cut costs attached to overexertion injuries related to these tasks and
leave workers pain free, making safety in the workplace, well, a piece of cake.
Apparently, Zingerman bakers are happy with the improvements
made following the workshop. Better yet, Tracie Wolfe, human resources analyst
at Zingerman’s, says the tools she learned will be of great value when the company’s
renovates its deli.
