TBT2 Keep Reach Close
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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 is the second of six Tool Box Talks created by Washington University in St. Louis on ergonomics in construction. There is a guide with the series that describes how to deliver these talks. This one deals with how to avoid awkward reaching during tasks to prevent injuries. try to work with your hands below your head and close to our body to reduce your risk of shoulder strains and back discomfort. This TBT recommends considering ways to move close to the task, keeping the work area free of obstacles, and talking with each other to provide constructive feedback about your working position.
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:
- Injury risks related to reaching.
- Ergonomic solutions for reducing reaching.
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 reach?
Reaching involves your shoulders, low back, arms, and hands. When we reach with our elbows fully extended and hands away from our body we are at risk for straining our shoulders and low back.
Reaching out of a normal range increases the force on our joints due to basic physics. It also makes it harder to grip tools, especially when reaching with the wrist bent. In most cases, working outside of the reaching comfort zone makes us have to work harder than if the task were closer and involved less reaching.
The shoulder is a very mobile joint and is prone to injury when moved outside of its normal range. Injuries that you may have heard about the shoulder include shoulder strain, bursitis, biceps tendonitis, and rotator cuff tear.
The photos on your training card with red lines on the arms show examples of workers reaching outside of their normal range.
Discussion Question: During what work tasks do you reach the most? Can you share some examples?
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 hazard examples.
| Trade | Reaching (Awkward Posture) Hazards |
|---|---|
| Carpenter - Drywall | Operating a screw gun overhead with the arm fully extended and the wrist bent. |
| Floor Layer | Spreading adhesive using a hand trowel with the arm fully extended out to the side and the wrist bent. |
| Sheet Metal Worker | Prepping duct parts on the floor while bending (the back) and reaching to work on them. |
Discussion Questions: What are some ways that you setup your work tasks and equipment in order to reduce reaching?
- Does your example always help to prevent reaching?
- Do you have suggestions for keeping your tasks close to you?
- Other Questions:_____________________________________________
Now let’s put this information into practice. When possible, during work:
- In the Air - Move your lift, ladder, by adjusting its position to get as close to the task as possible.
- On the Floor - Keep the floor free of objects so lifts, ladders, & hoists can be moved around. Where possible, adjust by moving your feet instead of bending or reaching.
- Communicate - Talk to your co-worker above to give him feedback about his work position to help keep his reach close to his body.
In summary, when possible, try to work with your hands below your head and close to our body to reduce your risk of shoulder strains and back discomfort. Consider ways to move close to the task, keep the work area free of obstacles, and talk with each other to provide constructive feedback about your working position.
References
Cal/OSHA. Ergonomic Survival Guide for Sheet Metal Workers. http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/dosh_publications/CErg_SheetMetal.pdf
NIOSH Simple Solutions: Ergonomics for Construction Workers, 2007. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-122/
Refer to the resources at our website--oshr.im.wustl.edu--for more Tool Box TIPS.
TRAINING ATTENDANCE SHEET
Training Topic: Ergonomics -- Keep Reach Close
Date:
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Directions for Making Laminated Training Cards
The last page of this PDF has directions for printing and laminating the training cards.
