Ergonomics saftety toolbox talk

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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 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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# Seated Workbench Designs 100 e 80 d 60 Physical dimension in cm. C C 40 a d a a 20 b 0 [redacted identifier] [redacted identifier] Welder height in cm. a = seat height d = height of the Welding table b = foot rest height e = maximum height of the c = maximum reach piece being welded on the table Source: Golavatjuk et.al. creation of optimum labour conditions for electric welders with regard to ergonomic requirements. IIW Calloquium on Welding and Health, Lisboa (1980) ## What should I know before lifting cylinders manually? - Find out the weight of an object before attempting to lift it. - DO NOT lift full or partially full cylinders on your own. - Use a lifting aid if the object is heavy. - Use a trolley or a mechanical lift to lift or move compressed gas cylinders. - Get help with heavy or awkward loads if a lifting aid is not available. - Do a few warm-up stretches before lifting. - Protect hands and feet in case the load falls. - Place the forward foot around the cylinder if it must be lifted manually. - Lower the cylinder across thigh by pressing down with rear hand while holding cylinder underneath and slightly beyond center point. - Raise the end to the desired height. - Push the cylinder forward with rear hand. Welding - Ergonomics CCOHS

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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 - Health Hazards On this page What are the main health concerns in working with hand tools? What factors, when working with hand tools, can cause injury? ## What are the main health concerns in working with hand tools? Along with common injuries such as cuts, lacerations, and bruises, the frequent and prolonged use of hand tools can cause soreness, aches, pains, and fatigue. These injuries, which, when ignored, can lead to chronic musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs). The most common examples of these work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are tendonitis, tenosynovitis, bursitis, epicondylitis (tennis elbow), carpal tunnel syndrome and de Quervain's syndrome. You can find prevention tips in the documents listed above, as well as in other OSH Answers documents, including: - Working in a Sitting Position - Working in a Standing Position - Cabinet Manufacturing - Carpenter ## What factors, when working with hand tools, can cause injury? Several work factors can affect the health and performance of hand tool users. Major ones include: - static load on arms and upper body muscles - awkward working positions and body postures - tissue compression Hand Tool Ergonomics Health Hazards 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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# Powered Hand Tools - Ergonomics (cont.) ## What are the ergonomic concerns for selecting powered hand tools? (cont.) If they are available, choose hand tools with double handles to permit easier holding and better manipulation of the tool. - Select tools with a trigger strip, rather than a trigger button. This strip will allow you to exert more force over a greater area of the hand that, in turn, will reduce muscle fatigue. Triggers should be larger than 2.5 cm (1 in) so that more than one finger can be used. - Ensure that the trigger works easily to reduce the effort needed to operate it. Select hand tools that encourage a good grip, such as non-slip, non-conductive and compressible materials like plastics or compound rubbers. The goal is to reduce the effort needed to use the tool effectively and at the same time, prevent the tool from slipping out of the hand. ## How can you reduce the ergonomic hazards of working with powered hand tools? - Use the right tool for the job and the right tool for the user. - Ensure that your tool is well maintained and in good repair. - Do not use glossy coated and highly polished handles. - Frequently used tools that weigh more than 0.5 kg (1 pound) should be counter- balanced. Powered Hand Tools - Ergonomics CCOHS

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# Hand Tool Ergonomics - Health Hazards (cont.) ## Awkward working positions and body postures (cont.) When the hand holds and uses a tool in an awkward position, it has less strength and is consequently more susceptible to soreness and eventual injury. If the arm is uncomfortable, the rest of the body is likely to be so as well, because it is natural to compensate for discomfort by trying to re-align the body by bending the back, rounding the shoulders, tilting the neck, and so on. Awkward positions of the upper body considerably increase the effort needed to complete the task. The resulting fatigue, discomfort, and pain add further to the risk of developing injury. ## Tissue compression from forceful grips Typically, using a hand tool requires a firm grip. The resulting compression of soft tissue in the palm and fingers may obstruct blood circulation, resulting in numbness and tingling. Blisters are also common due to friction between the palm of the hand and the handle of the tool. ## Vibration Certain heavy tools, such as a chipping hammer, can produce significant vibration, which is responsible for hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), more commonly known as white finger or Raynaud's syndrome. Fact sheet confirmed current: 2023-09-26 Fact sheet last revised: 2017-12-01 ## Disclaimer Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy, currency and completeness of the information, CCOHS does not guarantee, warrant, represent or undertake that the information provided is correct, accurate or current. CCOHS is not liable for any loss, claim, or demand arising directly or indirectly from any use or reliance upon the information. Hand Tool Ergonomics - Health Hazards CCOHS

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# Conveyors - Ergonomics (cont.) ## How high should a conveyor be? (cont.) - Working in Standing/Sitting Positions - Fish Processing However, it is important to consider the type of work being done when determining the conveyor height. For example: - Conveyor height for precision work such as microelectronic assembly should be from 95 to 120 cm, ideally 5 cm above one's elbow height. - Seating for precision work should be as described in the following OSH Answers documents, plus the use of elbow supports: - Working in a Sitting Position -- Alternative Chairs - Working in Standing/Sitting Positions - Conveyor height for light work should be about 5 to 10 cm below one's elbow height. Seating is optional. - Conveyor height for heavy work should be about 20 to 40 cm below one's elbow height. Seats for other than resting are not recommended. ## What are other ergonomic considerations when working at a conveyor? In all cases, consider that the more a worker is exposed, the higher the risk of developing injuries. - Be sure that workers are actively involved, such as being involved with procedure development, design of the work space, and providing feedback and consultation. - The reach distance includes the distance in front and to the side of the worker's body. The width of the conveyor should be chosen so that the reaching distance for repetitive movements is within 45 cm (18 in) from the front of the operator's body. - Alternately, diverters can be installed that will direct the material towards the worker to reduce or eliminate the need to lean or reach. - Small racks or shelves for containers should be within easy reach; containers should be tilted to avoid repetitive awkward movements. - Regardless of whether they work while sitting or standing, workers should have adequate knee and leg clearance. - Aisles should be wide enough so that the workers could perform their tasks without obstruction. Conveyors - Ergonomics CCOHS

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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 - Job Design ## On this page How can job design help prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) that can result from using hand tools? ## How can job design help prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) that can result from using hand tools? People working at a correctly designed workstation and using the best available tools can still get injured. It happens where their work is poorly designed. Job design (or work organization) involves: - job content -- task variety - work pace - work breaks - rest breaks - adjustment or acclimatization time - training ## Task variety Jobs that involve using only one kind of tool for one or a few tasks that do not vary in the movements and muscles used can cause an overload of those muscles, ligaments, tendons or tissues. The resulting overload on the same part of the body can cause pain and injury. A greater variety of tasks allow for changing body position to distribute the workload over different parts of the body, and to give overtaxed muscles some relief and recovery time. Rotate tasks among workers; have workers move from one task to another according to a schedule. Ensure tasks are different in the type of movement and body parts used. Hand Tool Ergonomics - Job Design CCOHS