mechanical engineer as a career
I have a clear and sound mind chosen to pursue mechanical engineering as my career path with the hope I will positively change my life and that of the whole country, if not continent. The career mostly requires working with machines and sensor devices that require a lot of responsibilities in order to achieve the set goals and deadlines. As a mechanical engineer, one has to understand the dimensions of designing mechanical and electromechanical products, assure the products are of high quality and reliable, prepare product reports, guiding and training technicians for completing projects, performing maintenance and repairs services of machines and equipment and contributing to the company’s team effort for realizing desired results.
In terms of qualification, one needs to have at least a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with more advantages for masters holders. It is also critical to have strong computer skills such as CAM, Matlab, and CAD. The mechanical engineering job outlook is promising and according to Learn How to Become (n.d) “there will be an increased need for mechanical engineers in the oil and gas extraction industry” which offers great promise to my goals. However, the ever-growing technology requires a mechanical engineer to keep up so as to keep abreast on what is trending in the industry.
In a workplace there are several risk and hazards that may pop up from time to time and my chosen career is most prone because it involves more of technical procedures. The exposure to these hazards can cause injuries and health complication to a mechanical engineer and that is why mitigation is vital in a work environment. Bliss (2019) claims that “It is estimated that work-related deaths account for five percent of global total death” (8). The statements proves that lack of measures to curb any job-related exposure can lead to fatalities. The job description can lead to numerous ergonomic/biomechanical and psychosocial risks which can negatively affects my operations as mechanical engineer.
Ergonomic/biomechanical hazards
When we talk of ergonomic hazards we have tp understand it is the harm brought to the musculoskeletal system. Injuries are mostly caused by biomechanical hazard because of strains that is inflicted on the body of a worker which can be noticed immeadiately or overtime. Negligence on the part of employers in formulating OSHA guidelines in making the worksite hazard-free.The severity of biomechanical hazards primarily depends on the level of exposure one has been exposed to I a workplace. The ergonomic hazards that may affect a mechanical engineer include;
Poor Posture
Many are the times a mechanical engineer will be sitting in his/her office and many workstation or chairs maybe improperly adjusted thus straining the musculosketal muscles. The design of the office directly affects how the spacing will be done and a non-condusive space makes it hard to body movements. This may lead to awkward movements or repetitive which can cause short and long-term injuries to my work as a mechanical engineer.
Vibration
Machines are commomly vibrating when perforiimg different tasks which may affect the healthy of a mechanical engineer. According to Occupational Safety & Health Administration (n.d)”Woodworking tools may cause vibration that could lead to “white fingers” or hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS)”. The health effects requires proper training on how to use various vibration equipments and gadgets and inclusion of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Psychosocial Hazards
In this era of global completion interms of resources many people have been forced to work either long hours or multiple jobs to pay bills. As a mechanical engineer, I might be required to work under unfavourable hours to meet deadlines which may affect my health negatively. The constant pressure to work under tight schedule or lack of enough rest can lead to health problems. The hazards may include;
Fatigue
A mechanical engineer job description involves dealing with complex activities such as designing and preparing reports. The responisibilities may sometime to be overwhelming thus taking more hours than required which can cause fatique. Fatique has been associated with psychosocial hazards because it is a catalyst of many workplace accidents. It is important to take the initiative to periodically take some rest in between the work hours to remain “fresh” and focused.
Stress
The complexity involved in dealing with mnachines and other devices can culminate to causing stress to a mechanical engineer. Theexpsure to psychosocial hazard can be averted by employer reporting any injuries in the workplace and putting a working mechanism of preventing these hazards to workers. Taking interval in doing tedious work and having enough time to rest should be implemented such as the weekends and holidays.