Ergonomics in Canadian Workplaces "The Latest Regulations"

By Linda Sagmeister, CCPE, CRSP

In many provinces and even federally, Canadians have Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations that include provisions for the prevention of soft tissue injuries, also referred to as musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) or musculoskeletal disorders (MSD).
Ergonomics, or human factors, is a broad field involving issues of safe and effective human interaction with the design and use of all aspects of the work environment including systems, organizations, equipment and tasks. As a result, it is difficult to create a comprehensive “ergonomics regulation.” In addition, application of ergonomics principles in physical, cognitive and design areas are more likely to take place in standards, guidelines and best practices documents within and outside of the OHS arena, depending on how ergonomics is being applied.
Currently, it is primarily physical ergonomics principles that are used in OHS regulations to prevent the onset of MSI in workplaces through regulating how physical work, such as lifting, standing and sitting, among others, can be accomplished.
Systems designed in the absence of ergonomics or consideration of human limitations and tendencies can result in human error.
Therefore, in addition to enforcing MSI prevention, it may be valuable for governments and other agencies, such as standard-setting groups and worker/employer representative associations, to consider the prevention of “human error” through accident investigation techniques or in the form of worker involvement in the design of systems and work organization of tasks (for example, participatory ergonomics).
A brief summary of current provincial ergonomics-related regulations is provided in Table 1. Note that regulations may be under review and are subject to change.
Federally, the Canada Labour Code II makes reference to Ergonomics regulations, which were passed federally late in 2007.
These amendments to the Hazard Prevention Program require federal employers to incorporate prevention of ergonomics-related hazards in the program. This includes hazard identification, assessment, developing preventive measures and employee education on ergonomics. Visit the following website: http://laws.justice.gc.ca/.

Linda Sagmeister is an Ergonomist with the Government of Newfoundland & Labrador.
Taken From http://www.ace-ergocanada.ca/

How Does Overtime Impact Workers?

When management is faced with personnel shortages or the need to meet peak production demands and schedules, overtime is often the solution.

But is it a wise decision?

Although management may view overtime as a temporary solution, it often becomes a standard way of managing work demands. In many instances, the extended overtime hours approach the same hours worked in a 12-hour shift system; however, the use of overtime is applied with little consideration to its consequences.

The health effects of extended work hours are well documented and include:
• Increased risk for cardiovascular disease
• Sleep disorders
• Depression
• Ulcers
• Gastrointestinal dysfunction and disorders
• Breast cancer
• Complications of existing medical conditions such as diabetes and epilepsy

In addition to these health effects, working overtime:
• Reduces the amount of quality time to spend with family members and meet family care demands, leading to increased levels of stress, irritability, and feelings of isolation.
• Increases the risk of substance abuse as workers resort to caffeine, stimulants, and tobacco to stay awake and alcohol and depressant drugs to fall asleep.
• Increases worker concern about their health and longevity.
• Increases absences for sickness and accidents.

Productivity and performance costs are often not apparent to management—but the truth is these costs can far exceed the direct costs of overtime. Just using the example of worker fatigue caused by extended hours—and resulting increased errors and accidents, decreased concentration, slower reaction time, failure to perceive and react to critical signals, impaired motor skills and coordination, decreased ability to handle stress, reduced problem-solving and decision-making abilities, and increased risk-taking behavior—reveals overtime is often not a smart solution.

Finally, and perhaps the strongest argument against extended work hours, productivity levels and work output do not increase in proportion to the hours worked. In fact, extending the workday often causes the tempo of work to slow down and the hourly output to decrease, especially in physically demanding jobs.
Taken from Issue 29, March 2004 http://www.ergoworkinggroup.org/

Major Work-Related Risk Factors

What are factors that can lead to injuries in an office job?

Basic office activities involve sitting in front of a computer terminal and operating it by means of typing or moving a mouse. Still, no matter how harmless these activities may seem, they do set the stage for injuries that can develop over time. While these activities are not particularly hazardous for a worker who does them only occasionally, the situation becomes more critical for those who have no choice but to sit in front of a computer screen and type for long periods every working day.

It is very important to know that musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs), and specifically, repetitive motion injuries (RMIs) rarely originate from one event or a particular factor. As a rule they develop over time from a variety of factors. Some factors are strictly work-related and beyond the workers' control. On the other hand, the workers themselves can have some control on other factors, such as their individual work practices. Other things like body build, age, gender, some medical conditions, types of personality, attitudes and life style can also contribute to RMIs. No matter that such factors may be beyond any control, becoming aware of them is nevertheless important.

Work-related factors that present the greatest risk for MSIs involve:

• fixed and constrained postures that are frequently awkward, uncomfortable and maintained for too long a time,
• repetitious and forceful hand movements,
• a high pace of work,

How does a fixed body posture affect your body?

Because the human body was designed to move, it cannot tolerate immobility for long. Merely sitting at a desk for long times can be unhealthy and damaging to the musculoskeletal system. Holding the upper body still in an upright position requires a lot of muscular effort and contributes to what is called a static load. That is the invisible but constant battle against gravity and fatigue, and injury is the price.

Both holding one's head at the optimum distance from the screen and document holder and maintaining one's arms in the proper typing position increase the static load on the whole upper body, and on the neck and shoulders in particular. The reduced blood supply that follows not only accelerates fatigue, but also leaves the musculoskeletal system susceptible to RMIs. To make matters worse, the furniture in most offices does not fit the worker either because it is not adjustable or, where it is adjustable, workers are not properly instructed on how to adjust it.

Where does poor work posture originate?

Poor posture can be a result of:

• Non-adjustable or otherwise unsuitable workstations;
• The layout of the workstation is inadequate or is not suitable for its user;
• Lack of knowledge and experience on how to set up an adjustable workstation properly according to the worker's needs (considering both body build and job tasks);
• Poor working habits that remain uncorrected;
• Unsuitable job design that requires a worker to sit uninterrupted for longer than an hour at a time; and
• Lack of proper training, resulting in a lack of awareness.

How can repetitious and monotonous movements affect your body?

Holding the upper body still allows the upper limbs to engage in such fine hand movements used in typing and operating a mouse (categorized as dynamic load). These are common examples of repetitious and monotonous movements. Repeated hundreds or thousand of times, hour after hour, day after day, year after year, these movements strain and gradually cause "wear and tear" on the muscles and tendons in the forearms, wrists and fingers. People who do repetitive work with their bodies in fixed and static positions are even more susceptible to getting RMIs.

Discomfort, numbness and tingling are the danger signs. If these signals are ignored, pain, chronic problems and long-term disability are likely to follow. More information on the interaction between the movements made by neck, shoulders and hands is in our OSH Answers web document on Repetitive motion injuries (RMIs).

How the high pace of work - "working in the fast lane"- affects your body?

Like repetitive and unvarying movements, a high work pace is quite a common reality in the most offices, even if it happens only occasionally. Regardless, whether it is arises from periodic overload or from uneven distribution of work, a regular high speed of work contributes to the development of MSIs very strongly.

The pace of work determines how much time working muscles have for rest and recovery between movements. The faster the pace, the shorter and less productive the recovery times become. This, in turn, increases the risk for RMIs.

A person may be able to set his or her work pace and adapt to the stresses that result. However, more harmful to one's health are external factors that increase the work pace and which are beyond the person's control, such as :

• having tight or frequently changing deadlines;
• knowing your performance is being monitored by some electronic system; or
• being overloaded with work.

The result is that the worker is denied any control over the timing and the speed of work, creating the feeling of "always being in a hurry." This haste and resulting stress while working cause the body muscles to tense up which, in turns, significantly accelerates the risk for developing RMIs.

Taken from http://www.oshforeveryone.org/wsib/external/www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/office/risk_factors.html

Ergonomic Chair

What is an "ergonomic" chair?

Finding the right ergonomic chair is a common problem especially for people who want to purchase new equipment to make workstations safer and healthier places. There are many "ergonomic" chairs available but it can be a mistake to purchase one simply because it is labelled "ergonomic".

Ergonomic chairs are designed to suit a range of people; however, there is no guarantee that they will suit any one person in particular. For example, a chair could be too high and the arm rests too far apart for a short, slim person. In addition, chairs may not suit every task or arrangement at the workstation. A chair becomes ergonomic only when it specifically suits a worker's size (body dimensions), his or her particular workstation, and the tasks that must be performed there. It is possible to find the right chair although it is not always easy.

Ergonomic Chair

Why is finding the right chair so important?

Today, in industrialized countries, many people sit for most of the time that they are awake. They sit while having breakfast, while going to work in cars or buses, in school classrooms, in meetings, in offices, during dinner, and at home while watching television. Many people also sit at work operating machines which new technology has developed to replace manual work. Although sitting requires less physical effort than standing or walking it puts a lot of stress on lumbar area. Combined effects of a sedentary lifestyle and a job that requires sitting can lead to many health problems.

What do you need to know about selecting a good "ergonomic" chair?

The selection of a suitable chair is a critical step in preventing health problems in people who work in a sitting position. With the ergonomics approach, sitting is viewed as a specific, specialized activity which is influenced by the way that a sitting person interacts with the working environment.

Several basic concepts should be considered:

• One chair does not fit everyone. The users' body dimensions must be used when selecting a chair so that it does not strain one part of the body while fitting another.
• Collect data about the user's body height. The optimal seat height is about one quarter of the body height. This is only a rule of thumb since the torso-to-leg ratio can vary widely..
• No one chair is suitable for every activity. For example, dentists require a different chair than do industrial workers or computer operators
• Consider maintenance and repair costs. Check with the manufacturer for items to inspect for and how often inspection should be done.

What are the features of a "good" chair?

Some features are mandatory for a good chair regardless of how you intend to use it:

• Adjustability - Check to see that seat height is adjustable.
• Seat height range - Check whether the seat height can be adjusted to the height recommended for the worker(s) who will use it. Other chairs may have to be selected for very short or tall workers.
• Backrest - Check to see that the backrest is adjustable both vertically and in the frontward and backward direction.
• Seat depth - Select the seats that suit the tallest and the shortest users
• Stability - Check for the stability of the chair; a five-point base is recommended.

Other features to consider

• See if the selected chair has features that will help someone do their job better. Arm rests with adjustable heights are good for computer operators. Wider or narrower arm rests may also be required depending on the worker's dimensions and tasks they do.
• See if the selected chair has features that will make doing a job more difficult. An example may be that someone may be using a chair with casters or wheels when a stable and stationary work position would be better. If chairs with casters are needed, choose ones that match the type of flooring you have (carpeting or hard floors).

Who should pick out the chair?

Personal preference is essential to the process of selecting a chair.

• After some suitable chairs have been identified, allow the person who will use the chair most to try out the chair in a real work situation. It is especially useful to obtain several sample chairs for a trial comparison by those who will be using them.
• Make sure that the chair meets the needs of the workers and their jobs before any final selection is made.

Can a chair solve all of the ergonomic problems of working in a sitting position?

A well-designed chair allows the user to sit in a balanced position. Buying an ergonomic chair is a good beginning but it may not bring the benefits expected. The actual sitting position depends on an individual's personal habits; he or she has to learn and practice how to sit properly.

Also, remember that the chair is only one of the components to be considered in workstation design. All the elements such as the chair, footrest (if needed), work surface, document holders, task lighting and so on need to have flexibility and adjustability to be "designed in."

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Taken from http://www.oshforeveryone.org/wsib/external/www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/office/chair.html

Implementing Solutions at the Shipyard Industry

The section on ergonomic solutions for shipyards describes changes to equipment, work practices, and procedures that can address ergonomics-related risk factors, help control costs, and reduce employee turnover. These changes may also increase employee productivity and efficiency because they eliminate unnecessary movements and reduce heavy manual work. OSHA recommends that employers use engineering controls, where feasible, as the preferred method of dealing with ergonomic issues in shipyards. The first set of solutions is applicable to all or most areas of the shipyard.

The recommended shipyard ergonomic solutions presented on the following pages have already been implemented in some shipyards. These solutions are not intended to cover all ergonomic challenges in shipyards, nor does OSHA expect that all of these solutions are applicable to each and every shipyard. OSHA recognizes that implementing engineering solutions may present certain challenges in the shipyard environment, which includes work that is performed outdoors and in cramped spaces. However, shipyard personnel are encouraged to use the examples in this document as a starting point for developing innovative solutions tailored to the specific ergonomic challenges in their individual shipyard. The solutions have been categorized according to the locations and jobs in which they are most frequently performed:

• Site-wide,
• Material/equipment handling,
• Tools,
• Metal work
• Shipside, and
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

SITE-WIDE

Task Lighting	Reduces awkward postures
Description: Positioning lights directly over a work area and/or equipment. Advantage: Reduces awkward neck and back position required to get close to the work to view it. Point to Remember: Lights on adjustable arms allow accurate positioning and can help avoid shadows and glare.

Point-of-Use Tool Boards and Rigging Racks

Reduce awkward postures and fatigue

Description: Devices that position work between the knees and shoulders and within easy reach. Advantages: Provide easy access to tools and material. Reduce wasted time to untangle parts. Reduce forceful exertions to pull tangled tools apart. Points to Remember: Arrange tools so that the most frequently used tools are within easy reach. Device can be used any time the work, tools, or equipment is farther than an arm's reach, lower than the knees, or above the shoulders.

Standing Platforms

BEFORE AFTER Reduce physical exertions and awkward postures

Description: Small platforms or benches that can be easily transported to the work area. Advantages: Platform use provides more stability for the body posture and may decrease the risk of injury when doing overhead work. Lightweight platforms can be folded up and carried onto a vessel. Points to Remember: Platform use may reduce the amount of overhead work that may cause shoulder and neck fatigue. When possible, employees should work with hands between waist and shoulder height.

MATERIAL/EQUIPMENT HANDLING

Carts, Hand Trucks, Pallet Jacks

Reduce lifting, pushing, and pulling forces

Description: Wheeled devices designed to transport and carry materials. Advantages: Reduce lifting, pushing, and pulling forces. Allow heavy or awkward materials, tools, or equipment to be moved without carrying. Save time. Hand trucks and carts are available in many shapes and sizes and can be customized for special applications. Points to Remember: Motorized pallet jacks are preferred for frequent or distant movement of materials. Wheels should be appropriate to the floor conditions to minimize push/pull forces. Larger diameter wheels may improve cart maneuvering. Swivel wheels on the rear and fixed wheels on the front make pushing easier for longer distances. Swivel wheels on both the front and rear make maneuvering in small, cramped areas easier. Wheels should be well maintained. Handles should be located at the rear of the cart and at waist level. Load height on the cart should not obstruct vision. Loads should be balanced and load weight kept under the manufacturer's recommended weight limits. Pushing is preferred to pulling.

Drum Movers/Tilters

BEFORE AFTER Reduce lifting, pushing, and pulling forces

Description: Overhead handling system that easily lifts and tilts a heavy drum. Advantages: Eliminate manual lifting and tilting of heavy drums. Reduce potential for accidental contact with chemicals. Reduce forces on back from rolling the drum on its edge (chimming). Points to Remember: Different handling systems and drum grippers are available for many situations. Ensure the system/device is rated for the drum weight.

Overhead Cranes

Reduce lifting, pushing, and pulling forces

Description: Overhead devices used to lift and transport heavy items. Advantages: Eliminate manual lifting and carrying of heavy objects. Eliminate pushing heavy carts of material and equipment (i.e., sheet metal, pipes, and large tools) across rough floors. Various adaptors are available to attach items such as drums, boxes, bags, and hooks. Points to Remember: Ensure the system/device is rated for the load weight. Movement pattern should be considered prior to installation of the crane. Proper design of control buttons may reduce awkward hand position.

Jib Cranes

BEFORE AFTER Reduce lifting, pushing, and pulling forces

Description: Wall, floor, or pillar mounted I-beam with a rolling trolley/hoist used to lift and position equipment and material. Advantages: Eliminate manual lifting, carrying, and positioning of heavy equipment and material. Eliminate the need to push heavy carts across rough floors. May save time. Hose handling systems attached to the jib crane keep welding hoses untangled and eliminate dragging hoses across the floor. Cranes are capable of rotating 180-360 degrees for maximum versatility. A variety of grippers can be attached to the crane for handling different objects. Points to Remember: Jib cranes can be mounted to a wall, floor, or pillar. Most jib cranes have a reach capability of up to 20 feet. Movement pattern should be considered prior to installation of the crane. Proper design of control buttons may reduce awkward hand position. Ensure the system/device is rated for the load weight.

Hoists/Balancers

BEFORE AFTER Reduce lifting, pushing, and pulling forces

Description: Portable devices used to lift and position heavy objects or tools. Advantages: Reduce the force needed to lift and position heavy objects or tools over the work area. Reduce fatigue from frequent lifting. Easy to set up at locations where a crane is not installed. Points to Remember: A variety of attachments are available to lift different objects. Ensure the hoist is rated for the load weight. Many makes and models of hoists and balancers are commercially available (e.g., spring-loaded, pneumatic, electric, or computer-controlled).

Conveyors

BEFORE AFTER Reduce lifting, pushing, and pulling forces

Description: Tabletops or work surfaces with manual or powered roller systems. Advantages: Eliminate carrying large sheets of metal or heavy objects between work stations. Reduce shoulder and back fatigue caused by frequently carrying objects between work stations. Conveyors can be designed to move material around corners. Conveyors can be flexible to extend into trucks or pushed together to minimize blocking forklift traffic aisles. Points to Remember: Powered conveyors minimize pushing and pulling forces. Manual conveyors require regular maintenance to minimize pushing and pulling forces. Objects on a manual conveyor are easier to push or slide when at or slightly below waist height. Ensure that employees are aware of pinch hazards.

Roller Ball Surfaces

Reduce pushing and pulling forces

Description: Tabletops or work surfaces with roller balls. Advantages: Reduce friction force when moving, loading, or positioning large sheets of metal, wood, or pipe into a machine. Roller tops can be located on top of existing work surfaces and tables. Some rollers are capable of rotating 360 degrees allowing for objects to be rotated and turned easily. Powered rollers minimize pushing and pulling forces. Pushing or sliding objects eliminates lifting and carrying that can be more strenuous for the arms and back. Points to Remember: Objects are easier to push or slide when they are at waist height. Roller ball surfaces require regular maintenance to minimize pushing and pulling forces. Ensure that employees are aware of pinch hazards.

Moveable Containers

BEFORE AFTER Reduce manual material handling

Description: Large containers for storing and transporting materials, tools, and equipment to where they are being used. Advantages: Reduce material handling and improve efficiency. Large quantities of material (i.e., cables, welding units, hoses, rigging equipment) can be transported at one time using a forklift or crane. Storage containers may be customized for special applications. Points to Remember: Store items between knee and shoulder height whenever possible. Avoid using containers with high sides that require reaching.

Pulley System

Reduces lifting, pushing, and pulling forces

Description: Pulleys attached to tools or equipment that assist in manual handling and positioning. Advantages: Reduces force needed to lift, position, or operate tools or equipment. Pulleys can be attached to various tools, such as a powered saw, to reduce the force required to operate the saw. Points to Remember: One or more pulleys can be used to reduce the forces needed to handle tools and equipment. Ensure the system/device is rated for the load weight.

Automatic Hose Roller	Reduces pushing and pulling forces, and repetitive motions
Description: A machine that coils long hoses. Advantages: Reduces the time and effort needed to manually roll up long hoses. Increases efficiency. Points to Remember: Machines can be manufactured to meet specific needs. Ensure the device is rated for the load weight.

Hose, Cord, and Cable Management Systems

Reduce pulling forces

Description: Reels that coil hoses and cords and store them out of the way. Advantages: Overhead reels reduce the need to drag, bend, and reach for air hoses. Retractable reels store pneumatic and electrical hose/cords easily and conveniently. Spring retractable devices reduce the need to manually wind the reel. Reels can be portable, mounted overhead, or attached to a wall or workstation. Manual and powered rewind hose reels are widely available. Overhead reels prevent trip hazards by keeping hoses/cords off of the ground/floor. Points to Remember: Minimize tangles and pinch points in the travel path to reduce the pulling forces. Provide enough leader on the hose to minimize pulling.

Turning and Rotating Devices

BEFORE AFTER Reduce forceful exertions

Description: Turntables and rotating tabletops that allow objects to be easily turned, rotated, and positioned. Advantages: Reduce the forces needed to position, turn, or rotate parts, tools, and equipment on a work-bench. Some turntables are capable of rotating completely. A pneumatic foot-operated rotating tabletop allows table to be easily rotated and objects to be placed within easy reach. Points to Remember: Turntables come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and configurations. Turntables and rollers can be manual or powered. Turntables and roller tops can be located on top of existing work surfaces. Turning and rotating devices require regular maintenance to minimize the forces needed to position, turn, or rotate objects on a work bench.

Racks and Shelves

Reduce manual material handling

Description: Devices to stage, move, or store materials, tools, or equipment. Advantages: Position materials, tools, and equipment within easy reach. Allow objects to be lifted or moved without bending, twisting, or excessive reaching. Wheeled rack carts allow for easy movement and maneuverability. Moving racks by crane reduces manual carrying of hoses and leads. Storing items on racks allows them to be easily lifted from mid-thigh level (instead of the floor). The racks also improve organization. Points to Remember: Store items between knee and shoulder height whenever possible. Racks and shelves can be customized to meet individual needs.

Material Positioners

BEFORE AFTER Reduce awkward body postures

Description: Devices that position and support material at an appropriate level. Advantages: Allow for easy positioning of large sheets of wood, steel, or aluminum. A sawhorse with a roller ball top and hinged sides allows employees to easily position and hold heavy sheets of plywood in a horizontal position and slide them through a saw. Work surfaces that are easily raised or lowered allow employees to work in neutral posture. Hinged work surfaces reduce bending and reaching. Points to Remember: Surfaces must be able to support the weight of the objects or materials. Powered devices are easier to operate. Material positioners and height-adjustable devices require regular maintenance to ensure their easy use.

Moving Welding Units	BEFORE AFTER Reduce lifting forces
Description: A welding unit with an attached fixture/handle. Advantages: Allows welding unit to be moved without lifting. Allows two-person efforts when relocating welding equipment. Reduce muscle fatigue and the risk of back injury. Points to Remember: Design of the fixture should allow the weight to be balanced. The fixture attached to the welding unit should have easy to grip handles.

Large Hose Reel

Reduces lifting and pulling forces

Description: Device that provides a mechanical advantage in coiling long hoses. Advantages: Reduces forces needed to roll large hoses. Can be transported with a forklift or crane. Hose reels can be customized for special applications. Points to Remember: Keep the reels well maintained and easy to turn. Saltwater and moisture may make reels more difficult to turn. Ensure system/device is rated for load weight.

Synthetic Line	BEFORE AFTER Reduces lifting and pulling forces
Description: Lightweight synthetic lines. Advantages: Up to 75% lighter than steel lines. Some synthetic lines can be handled by one person. Points to Remember: Ensure system/device is rated for the load weight. Store synthetic lines properly to reduce their deterioration caused by exposure to environmental conditions.

Tractor and Trailer

BEFORE AFTER Reduce manual material handling

Description: Devices used to move multiple units to and from the ship. Advantages: Loading materials and equipment onto a trailer before transporting them to the dock requires fewer trips, saves time, and reduces handling. Trailers come in a variety of sizes, types, and load capacities. Points to Remember: Ensure device is rated for the load weight. Ensure items are secure and balanced on the trailer to avoid shifting or tipping.

Stack Blower on Wheels

BEFORE AFTER Reduces lifting, pushing, and pulling forces

Description: A custom modification that adds wheels and a handle to a conventional stack blower. Advantage: By attaching a handle and wheels to each unit, stack blowers can be easily maneuvered. Points to Remember: Appropriate wheels should be selected based on the floor or ground surface and conditions. Using larger diameter wheels is often an easy way to reduce pushing and pulling forces. Handles should be located at about waist height for pushing and pulling. Ensure that the top of the stack blower does not obstruct vision. Pushing is preferred to pulling.

TOOLS

Tool Extension Handles

BEFORE AFTER Reduce awkward body postures

Description: Long extension handles for hand tools. Advantages: Enable the operator to work standing instead of using the tools in awkward postures (e.g., kneeling or crouching). May reduce vibration being transmitted to the hands and arms. Can be attached to many types of handheld tools such as needle guns, buffing wheels, and grinders. The handle and tool can be attached to wheels or channel sliding plates to reduce the weight and force needed to operate the tool. Points to Remember: Altering the tool may pose hazards and may void the manufacturer's warranty. Tools should not be altered in a way that violates the National Electrical Code and must not be altered in a way that violates OSHA standards.

Power Tools	Reduce hand and arm fatigue
Description: Tools constructed with durable, light-weight materials. Advantages: Reduce hand and arm fatigue caused by holding a tool for several hours. Reduce force required to hold heavier tools. Points to Remember: If lighter tools are not available, tool balancers may be used to reduce the weight held and the forces associated with using heavy tools. Select lighter tools with less vibration.

Low Vibration Tools

Reduce hand and arm vibration

Description: Tools specifically designed to reduce vibration. Advantage: Reduce the vibration being transmitted to the hands. Points to Remember: Tool maintenance should be performed on a regular basis. Oiling and cleaning tools daily increases the life of the tool and reduces vibration. Out-of-balance or off-center grinding wheels, pads, and spindles are major contributors to vibration. Some tools use auto-balancing technology to compensate for off-center pads/wheels. Tools should be gripped as lightly as possible while still maintaining control of the tool. Cold hands are more vulnerable to the effects of vibration. Select gloves that minimize the loss of tactile sensitivity. Many low vibration tools are commercially available, such as grinders, sanders, and impact wrenches.

Tool Balancers

Reduce muscle fatigue

Description: Portable devices used to support and position tools. Advantages: Reduce hand and shoulder muscle fatigue caused by holding a tool for prolonged time. May reduce exposure to tool vibration. Points to Remember: Balancers require adjustment and maintenance. Ensure system/device is rated for weight. Spring-loaded, pneumatic, electric, or computer controlled models are widely available. Various adaptors are available to attach to different tool configurations.

METAL WORK

Robotic Welders	Reduce awkward postures and repetitive motions
Description: Robotic technology applied to welding machines. Advantages: Reduce the fatigue associated with prolonged welding or welding performed in an awkward or constrained position. Reduce the amount of manual welding required and may improve efficiency. Can be operated by one person with minimal effort. Point to Remember: Not applicable for all welding applications.

Electromagnetic and Air Presses	BEFORE AFTER Reduce forceful exertions
Description: Portable electromagnetic and air presses that hold parts in place during welding operations. Advantages: Reduce awkward postures and forceful exertion associated with manually clamping parts prior to welding operations. Can significantly reduce the time needed to complete a job. Point to Remember: Used when welding long seams on butted metal plates.

Support Bar	Reduces static exertions and awkward postures
Description: A metal bar placed vertically under a long piece of steel for support as it passes through a machine. Advantages: Reduces static and awkward postures. Reduces static exertions while loading the steel into the machine. Useful on long pieces of steel that would require manual support. Point to Remember: Be sure the bar is stable and can support the load.

SHIPSIDE

Dry Dock Centering Device	Reduces pulling forces
Description: Mechanized reel system that pulls ships into position in dry dock. Advantage: Reduces the extreme pulling forces previously required to manually pull a vessel into a dry dock. Point to Remember: Check lines frequently and replace damaged ones.

Lighter-Weight Blowers	Reduce lifting forces
Description: Lighter-weight blowers used to move air in small spaces. Advantages: Reduce the lifting forces associated with carrying blowers onto vessels. Have handles for easy carrying. The weight is more balanced for easy carrying. Point to Remember: Ensure the air volume is adequate.

Stools and Creepers

BEFORE AFTER Reduce awkward postures

Description: Portable seats that allow the employee to be seated while working. Advantages: Provide support in the right position for hard-to-reach areas, such as underneath ships, decks, or platforms or when working below waist level. Tools, equipment, and materials can be attached to the stools/chairs for convenience. Points to Remember: Adjustable stools and creepers are preferred. Locking the casters helps prevent the stools and creepers from moving unexpectedly. Some stools can be custom made.

Gas Line Connector Rack	Reduces material handling
Description: A device that allows gas lines to be connected to one central location. Advantages: Reduces the number of gas tanks that are handled. The rack can be moved by crane as a single unit. Points to Remember: The gas racks are assembled by the vendor. Use of the gas rack is more efficient when used by several employees in the same area.

Davit Cranes	Reduce manual lifting and handling
Description: Devices mounted to dry docks to move heavy items onto or off of vessels. Advantage: Reduce manual lifting and handling. Points to Remember: Ensure the device is rated for the load weight. Many types, sizes, and capacities of overhead cranes are widely available to lift and transport heavy items.

Block Lifting Device	BEFORE AFTER Reduces manual handling
Description: A hook-like device that allows wood blocks to be lifted by a crane or forklift. Advantage: Reduces the manual lifting, moving, and positioning of very heavy wood blocks. Point to Remember: Ensure device is well maintained.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Anti-vibration Gloves

Reduce hand-arm vibration

Description: Gloves with anti-vibration properties. Advantage: Reduce the vibration being transmitted to the hands and arms from vibrating tools such as grinders, needle guns, and sanders. Points to Remember: Optimal fit is essential to reduce unnecessary fatigue. Anti-vibration gloves should not dramatically increase grip diameter. Gloves should be chosen to minimize the loss of tactile sensitivity. Full finger gloves provide the maximum protection.

Elbow Pads	Reduce contact stress
Description: Pads to protect the elbow from contact stress. Advantage: Useful for working in cramped spaces and/or leaning on the elbows. Point to Remember: Elbow pads should fit snugly but should not compromise circulation in the arm.

Shoulder Pads	Reduce contact stress
Description: Pads that protect the shoulder when carrying objects on the shoulder. Advantage: Reduce the contact stress to the shoulder. Points to Remember: Shoulder pads should be used when an item cannot be transported with a cart or other transport device. Carrying heavy objects on the shoulder often causes excessive pressure applied over a small area.

Kneeling Supports	BEFORE AFTER Reduce contact stress
Description: Support devices that distribute weight and reduce knee strains. Advantage: Reduce pressure within the knee while kneeling and prevent the knee from bending too far. Point to Remember: When possible, work surfaces should be raised to minimize kneeling.

Kneepads

BEFORE AFTER Reduce contact stress

Description: Pads worn to protect the knee when kneeling on a hard surface. Advantage: Kneepads reduce contact stress. Points to Remember: When possible, work surfaces should be raised to minimize kneeling. Kneepads should fit snugly but should not compromise circulation to the lower leg. Kneeling on one or both knees can cause contact stress on the bones and soft tissues of the knees. Contact stress can reduce circulation and pinch nerves. Pad should be replaced when cushion material becomes compacted. Select fire-resistant pads when performing hot work.

Taken from http://www.osha.gov/dsg/guidance/shipyard-guidelines.html#process

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