uc ergonomics/ safe pavement breakers diana j. flores mph- university of california, los angeles...
TRANSCRIPT
UC Ergonomics/ Safe Pavement Breakers
Diana J. FloresMPH- University of California, Los Angeles
Michael LopezB.S. Bioengineering- University of California, Berkeley
1
Background
• In construction… 5 out of every 100
workers injured >50% of injuries =
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
• Jackhammering causes back and shoulder MSDs
• Stuck jackhammer = increased strain
• Looking for a solution to help prevent MSDs
2
Background
• Jackhammer Lift Assist
• Pneumatically powered “foot” pushes jackhammer out of the ground
• Reduces effort of lifting/repositioning jackhammer
• Decreases back and shoulder strain
3
Background
• Lift Assist available to workers at PG&E
• Workers prefer not to use device
4
Objective
• Find out why many workers prefer traditional method of jackhammering
5
Methods
• Site visits at PG&E (2)
• Worker interviews (4)
• Worker Questionnaires (4)
• Interviews with Ergonomist and Construction experts
• Interview with PG&E union rep (IBEW 1245)
• Visited Northern California Laborer’s Training Center in San Ramon
6
What we learned
THE GOOD:•Helpful on flat, open ground•Reduces back and shoulder strain•Well accepted once workers give it a try
THE BAD:•Not appropriate for all situations (hills, limited space)•Decreases accuracy of work•Large reach for activation trigger•Adds 10lbs weight
7
Evaluation
“It’s a good idea, but it needs some work”
-PG&E construction worker
8
Recommendations
• Decrease activation trigger reach
• Decrease weight of device
• Modify foot such that it conforms to sloped surfaces
9
Further Recommendations
• Larger storage compartment for device
• Put jackhammer away as a team when possible
• Conduct periodic safety training for individual work crews on jackhammer risks and precautions.
• Incorporate Lift Assist into initial jackhammer trainings
10
Challenges
• Project time limitation
• Small Sample Size
• Not much literature specific to Jackhammer MSDs
• Jackhammer injuries not limited to MSDs
11
Issues
• Noise
• Vibration
• Road Traffic
• Silica Dust
12
Successes
• Cooperative PG&E liaisons and crews
• Interviews with ergonomics and construction experts
• Sufficient videotape footage
• Understanding additional construction work hazards that we were not previously aware of.
13
AcknowledgementsUC Ergonomics Lab • Maggie Robbins• Dr. David Rempel• Betsy Llosa• Staff
CA. Dept. of Public Health • Dr. Bob Harrison• David Harrington• Staff
Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics
Occupational Health Internship Program• Diane Bush• Sarah Jacobs
PG&E• Garret Chang• Taisir Shurasa • Work Crews
Northern CA. Laborer’s Training Center• Ollie Hurl• Jerome Williams
14
Questions?
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