TBT3 Positioning
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Toolbox Talks on Ergonomics by Washington University in St. Louis
These six toolbox talks and a guide were developed by Washington University in St. Louis during a three year study of ergonomics in construction trades. The series covers reaching, positioning work, moving materials and using manual and power tools on construction sites. The talks are different because they were designed to relate ergonomics information to the crew’s current job. They also provide a simple and consistent format for planning and leading open discussions about ergonomics with the work crew. Finally, they are based on research with multiple construction trades.
Summary Statement
This third in a series of 6 Tool Box Talks on construction ergonomics focuses on proper positioning to avoid injuries. The TBT recommends: 1)prop up a task off of the floor by using a raised surface, cart, baker scaffold, saw horses to prep materials near waist height, 2)move the lift or ladder in the best position for the work, 3)position the lift in front of the area you plan to work without trying to reach too far on either side of the lift.
2014
Facilitator / Leader Tasks Before the Tool Box Talk (TBT)
- Read through this TBT guide.
- Walk the job site to find ergonomics examples based on the TBT. If possible, take photos of “safe” and “unsafe” examples at the site to be used during the TBT.
- Write down discussion questions to ask the group.
Learning Goals
After discussing this training topic, workers will have gained a general understanding of:
- Unsafe work positions.
- Solutions to improve work positioning.
TRAINING CARD
The last page of this PDF has directions for printing and laminating the training cards.
TRAINER’S TALKING POINTS
Why should we talk about positioning?
Construction work requires working in high, low, and tight spaces which often forces you to work in an awkward or uncomfortable position. Working in awkward reaching and bent positions can lead to shoulder and back discomfort and possible injury over time.
Demonstration: The training card provides examples of the range of reaching and the point at which the reach is unsafe. Hold your arms straight out in front of you. Look at your hands and wrists while I discuss each of the reach zones on the training card.
The Green Zone shows the ideal location for working with your hands. When possible, try to keep your work tasks as far out as your wrists.
The Orange Zone is for occasional work since it involves more weight on your shoulders and low back since your hands are away from your body. If needed, keep the reach distance as far as your fingertips.
The Red Zone is away from your body so far that it places you at higher risk for falls when in the air and shoulder and back discomfort. Limit the time you work reaching beyond your fingertips.
End of Demonstration
Discussion Question: Can anyone describe to us an awkward position that they work in or have seen someone work in?
- What does it feel like in your neck, back or arms when working in that position?
- Other Questions:_____________________________________________
Training Note: Here are examples of hazards in different construction trades. Choose your trade or one that is similar to your group’s line of work that can be used as hazards and solutions examples.
| Trade | Awkward Posture Hazards | Potential Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter-Drywall | Leaning over the side of a scissor lift to reach and operating a screw gun with the arm fully extended (reaching in the red zone past the fingertips). | Before starting to install the line of screws to the side of the lift, move the lift to re-center it for the next 2 lines of screws to be installed. |
| Floor Layer | Spreading mortar overhead on a wall with the bakers scaffold one foot away from the wall due to buckets on the floor below (reach in the red zone, past the fingertips). | Pre-plan this task by removing all objects in the path of the bakers scaffold. Having an open path allows you to work closer to the task. |
| Sheet Metal Worker | Prepping duct parts on the floor while bending the back and reaching to work on them. | Pre-plan this task by setting up a waist-height workstation on extra materials, a cart, or saw horses. |
Now let’s put this information into practice. What are some tricks or techniques that you use to work in a comfortable position?
- Other Questions:_____________________________________________
Here are a few other ideas that are listed on your training card:
Prop up your tasks off of the floor by using a raised surface, cart, baker scaffold, saw horses to prep materials near waist height.
Move the lift or ladder in the best position for the work – close to the work tasks.
For safety & comfort, try to position the lift in front of the area you plan to work without trying to reach too far on either side of the lift.
In summary, it is important to work in a safe position when possible in order to reduce the risk of falls and discomfort due to awkward working positions. Consider ways that you can work in the green/comfort zone and orange zone and avoid the unsafe red zone.
References
[Images modified from Grandjean & Eastman Kodak Co.]
1. Grandjean, E. 1988. Fitting the task to the man: A textbook of occupational ergonomics. 4th ed. Taylor & Francis.
2. Eastman Kodak Co. 1983. Ergonomic Design for People at Work. Vol 1. Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated.
Refer to the resources at our website: oshr.im.wustl.edu for more Tool Box TIPS.
TRAINING ATTENDANCE SHEET
Training Topic: Ergonomics -- Positioning
Date:
| ATTENDEES | |
|---|---|
Directions for Making Laminated Training Cards
The last page of this PDF has directions for printing and laminating the training cards.
