Seismic testing line crew

Seismic testing line crews work across multiple locations in remote regions for mining exploration clients.

Overall physical demand rating

Medium

Tasks and tools used

The following tasks are completed on a regular basis but are not limited to:

standing in man cage on back of 4WD utility rolling out cable while vehicle is travelling at 10-15km/hr
dropping and picking up jugs, which weigh less than 5kg – this involves frequent bending and stomping as they are 2m apart
rolling out the jugs and stomping the geophones (pegs) into the ground
pulling the geophones up and rolling back onto the jugs
augurs are used for holes in harder terrain

Note: the jugs and cabling are being transitioned to new equipment called nodes, one of which replaces 12 jugs, thus reducing the amount of bending and stomping significantly and removing the need for cabling.

Education and OH&S

training in correct manual handling
daily toolbox talks prior to shifts commencing
employee induction and working in crews
site inductions

Shift times

6am to 6pm per day (12 hour days). Roster is six weeks on and two weeks off for line crews.

Personal protective equipment

high visibility clothing
steel capped boots
sun protection

Physical environment

All terrain

Critical physical job demands and other task requirements

Critical job demand descriptor	% of time the task is performed	Task
Constant	>66%	back crew and jugs are standing and walking throughout; front crew and cabling are standing
Frequent	34%–66%	lifting jugs that weigh less than 5kg and nodes that weigh less than 1kg lifting the cabling in man cage that weighs less than 1kg carrying jugs, front crew and back crew cabling involves standing in the cage, pulling cable and throwing from the cage out to the ground. Cable is lifted over the side of the cage. The movements involve pulling cable, twisting and lifting above waist height to shoulder height. back crew involves a lot of bending and squatting as they are picking up the geophones and winding onto the jugs cabling involves a lot of twisting and reaching as the cables are unwound and thrown from the cage most duties involve frequent gripping
Occasional	5%–33%	climbing in and out of vehicles
Rare	<5%	sitting lifting greater than 10kg fine motor skills

Suitable duties

goals must be clear, realistic and achievable
must have 'buy-in' from the worker
worker helps to set the goals, and must be answerable if goals are not met (this allows barriers to RTW to be identified at an early stage and obstacles overcome)
workers need to understand they have an obligation to participate in rehabilitation and RTW as per Section 232 of the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (the Act).

Return to work suggestions

Worker can begin with light duties and include more tasks as their capacity for work changes. We'll work with all parties, including the treating medical provider, employer and worker to ensure everyone is aware of where the worker is with their rehabilitation and stay at, or return to work.

Note: some tasks are dependent on worker's injury and capacity, and some tasks may require the assistance of a co-worker.

Offsite

Return to work can begin at home for those having difficulty with transport, medication or the injury prevents them from returning to work.

If the worker needs to take a break from work, they're rehabilitation can still begin at home. Tasks can include:

video on safety issues can be viewed (lying in bed if injury type requires)
computer-based programs, CDs or DVD on work-related subjects
phone-based work
emails
training
other worksite inductions
checking or auditing paperwork, e.g. helping the WHSO audit lost time injuries (LTIs) for a six-month period.

Host employment

In the event an employer is unable to provide suitable duties, a host placement may be required. If this is required, the worker may be placed at a different employer in a graduated return to work plan until they're able to 'upgrade' back to his/her pre-injury role with their pre-injury employer.

More return to work resources

View physical demands photos for Seismic testing line crew