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Many trades can pose various risks regarding ergonomics. Workers must do extensive labor with hands, material handling, bending, pulling, etc. Taking appropriate precautions in day-to-day activity is key to preventing musculoskeletal disorders.
Potential ergonomic hazards:
- Excessive exertion or stress from using hand tools, power tools, and other various equipment
- Holding or working on components overhead or in a bent position; sometimes for an extended period
- Lifting and transporting material by hand on the job site
- Pushing, pulling, and rolling equipment to reposition
- Cutting and trimming material
Ways to address these hazards:
- Try to avoid high-vibration tools; take frequent breaks and reposition when needed
- Report poor performance of tools or those in need of repair
- Use extension tools or machines rather than handheld or manual processes, when possible, to alleviate unnecessary strain
- If an extended period is spent kneeling use knee pads to ease pressure
- Take micro breaks when necessary; rotate between tasks to avoid repetition
- Use a forklift or cart for material handling when possible
- Team lifts when lifting devices are not feasible