erganomics

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CCOHS CCHST Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Centre canadien d'hygiène et de sécurité au travail Powered Hand Tools # Powered Hand Tools - Ergonomics ## On this page What are the ergonomic concerns for selecting powered hand tools? How can you reduce the ergonomic hazards of working with powered hand tools? ## What are the ergonomic concerns for selecting powered hand tools? Select tools that can be used without bending the wrist. Hand tools should allow the operator to grasp, hold, and use the tool with the wrist held straight. Powered Hand Tools - Ergonomics CCOHS

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# Conveyors - Ergonomics (cont.) ## What are other ergonomic considerations when working at a conveyor? (cont.) - Consider the force required (e.g., strength required by hands (grip), arms, back, and legs. - Consider if the worker must twist their torso or maintain awkward positions (e.g., bending forward, sideways, or backwards) - Is there contact stress, such as hard or sharp objects into the skin? (e.g., does the worker have to lean on or over the conveyor?) Consider - installing tool balancers where heavy powered hand tools are used. - Consider installing over-conveyors workstations to provide easy access to materials and tools and to free floor space. - Consider installing anti-fatigue matting; it may alleviate tiredness and feet problems might arise from working long hours on hard floors. - Even if the work is done from only one side, the conveyors should be accessible from both sides. This is for maintenance, housekeeping, and emergency reasons. - Where people need to move over the conveyor, a crossover (pedestrian bridge) should be built, with appropriate guards installed. - Be aware that other factors may increase the effects on the worker, including the use of tools that vibrate, and when the work is done in colder temperatures. - Provide education and training which includes awareness of ergonomics, techniques to reduce injury, and the importance of reporting early of symptoms of musculoskeletal injury. ## What should be considered when determining the pace of work? The pace of work must consider the time required for rest and recovery, and the length of time that the worker performs the tasks. - The pace of a conveyor should be set between the capabilities of the most- and least - skilled worker; the highest speed should not exceed 10 m/min. For assembly work, the workers should have some control over the pace of their tasks. - Consider placing more workers on the line, or rotating workers between tasks (especially those tasks that re…

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CCOHS CCHST Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Centre canadien d'hygiène et de sécurité au travail Hand Tool Ergonomics # Hand Tool Ergonomics - Introduction On this page Are hand tools ergonomically. designed? ## Are hand tools ergonomically designed? Not necessarily. To be called "ergonomic", a tool should reduce the physical effort required of the person using it. Tools should be designed to consider the following factors and be chosen accordingly: - Operator characteristics - Physical characteristics and limitations (anthropometry) - Biomechanics - structure, strength and mobility - Fatigue - Manual dexterity - Factors related to the workstation and the tasks - Work Requirements - Tools must help meet production goals, requirements for accuracy, etc. The mass production of hand tools has also changed our approach to the use of hand tools. The use of tools on an industrial scale made it apparent that using a tool which does not fit the person or task can seriously affect a user's health (see Hand Tool Ergonomics - Health Hazards). Choosing the proper tool for the job and fitting it to the individual has become very important for productivity and worker health. The ergonomic assessment of work where hand tools are used has helped people to understand that the layout of the workstation (see Hand Tool Ergonomics - Workspace Design), the variety and scheduling of tasks (see Hand Tool Ergonomics - Job Design) and the way tools are used, are all factors as important as tool design itself (see Hand Tool Ergonomics - Tool Design). Hand Tool Ergonomics - Introduction CCOHS

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CCOHS CCHST Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Centre canadien d'hygiène et de sécurité au travail Ergonomics # Conveyors - Ergonomics ## On this page How are conveyors used in industry? How high should a conveyor be? What are other ergonomic considerations when working at a conveyor? What should be considered when determining the pace of work? ## How are conveyors used in industry? Conveyors are common equipment found in industry. They are used to move products and supplies in and out of a work site, from one part of the plant to another, and between workstations. Conveyors are found in all kinds of assembly operations, ranging from microelectronics to the automotive industry. Conveyors can be powered or unpowered, roller or belt, overhead or on the floor. Factors such as the conveyor's height, width, speed and position in relation to the worker determine the overall workload and the way workers do their job. To lessen the likelihood of adverse effects when working on a conveyor line ergonomic and design issues have to be considered. ## How high should a conveyor be? Wherever the tasks at the conveyor require wide-ranging bodily motion and/or physical exertion, then the work should be done from a standing position. Conveyor height should be determined by the degree of exertion required and the dimensions of the objects being moved or worked upon. A height range of 65 to 120 cm can accommodate the majority of the workforce and a variety of tasks. As most conveyors have a fixed height surface, one recommendation is to adjust the belt to a height suitable for the tallest workers, and to provide adjustable work platforms or chairs for shorter workers. More information on working in standing positions can be found in our OSH Answers section under: Working in a Standing Position Conveyors - Ergonomics CCOHS

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# Ergonomics in Construction ## The problem: Back sprains and strains are the most common disabling injuries for construction workers. Laborers, carpenters, electricians, roofers and plumbers/pipefitters have the most injuries. Many of these are from overexertion and bodily motion. Injury sources include containers, wood/lumber, and tools. Working below the knees, working above shoulder height, doing repetitive jobs, and moving heavy things are common risk factors for ergonomic injuries. The average cost of a disabling claim is $13,562. The solution: Ergonomics is the science and art of fitting the job to the workers. Here are a few key questions to help you better fit the job to the workers. ? How is the work planned and organized and laydown areas set up so materials are handled, moved or carried the minimum distances and number of times? ? How are access paths and walkways kept level, clear and slip-resistant, to prevent slips and falls? ? How can the work be set up so it can be done above the knees and below the shoulders? (i.e., on a waist-level work table or saw horses) ? How can the work also be done in a sitting position to prevent prolonged standing, stooping, kneeling or squatting? ? For repetitive or long duration jobs, how can workers take breaks or trade off with other workers doing different jobs? ? How is material handling equipment (such fork lifts, cranes, hoists, pallet jacks or carts) available to move heavy materials or containers? ? How are powered and non-powered hand tools selected and maintained to reduce awkward postures, forceful exertions, contact stresses, and vibration?

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# Ergonomics Defined • Finding the best 'fit' between a worker and her job conditions • Goal is to create a safe, comfortable environment for workers that is also productive • Usually accomplished by redesigning tools or the work process • "Make the tool fit the person"

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CCOHS CCHST Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Centre canadien d'hygiène et de sécurité au travail Welding # Welding - Ergonomics ## On this page What are ergonomic risk factors associated with welding? What are some tips for a good working posture while welding? What is an example of a standing workbench design? What is an example of a seated workbench design? What should I know before lifting cylinders manually? What should I know when moving cylinders? What should I know about lighting and colour? ## What are ergonomic risk factors associated with welding? - Lifting heavy loads (cylinders, cables, etc.). - Awkward body postures (outreached arms, awkward position of neck and head, kneeling/squatting). - Static body positioning (long duration of tasks, manual precision). - Continuous force (grip strength). ## What are some tips for a good working posture while welding? - Learn to recognize symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs; also called repetitive strain injuries or RSIs). Repeated uncomfortable postures and tasks can cause injury. - Avoid awkward body positions which cause fatigue and reduce concentration. - Always use your hand to lower your helmet. Do not use a "jerking" motion of your neck and head. - Position yourself in a stable, comfortable posture. Welding - Ergonomics CCOHS

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# Additional Thoughts on Ergonomics (cont.) Improving Your Workplace 53 - The example presented on the previous page illustrates the process of making improvements a little at a time compared with identifying a "fix" or a "solution." The point is that ergonomics can provide a process to help you continue to improve your workplace. This may mean look- ing at work tasks, selecting improvements and trying them out, looking again to see if they are working, making needed modifications, and so on. Some people refer to this process as continuous improvement. ► A final thought. Some employers and employees have found that one effective way to improve their workplace is to put an ergonomics program in place. Ergonomics programs can create a structure for looking at jobs, providing training, and trying out improvements. If you are interested in an ergonomics program for your workplace, see the references in "Resources," page 78.

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# What makes a tool "ergonomic"? • Ergonomics is not an inherent attribute of tools - It is common sense • To be "ergonomic" a tool must: • Fit the user • Be easy to use • Improve comfort • Improve performance - improve health and safety