Ergo 4 Welders

8/6/2019 Ergo 4 Welders

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Ergonomics in Welding


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What You Will Learn:

How to identify Work-Related Musculoskeletal

Disorders (WMSDs) in welding jobsPropose solutions for hazardous exposures

Find further information about ergonomics inwelding operations


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C ommon Hazards

C ommon hazards found in welding are:Inhaling metals fumes

Eye exposure to welding arc light

Foreign objects in eyesBurns

Noise


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WMSD HazardsWelding also includes musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) hazards such as: A wkward body postures

Lifting heavy equipment or materials

Static postures for prolonged periods

A wkward postures of the wrist


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By Nature of Injury

Sprains account for

more than 1/3 of thecompensable claimsamong welders in theState of Washington.

Some of those couldbe caused byhazardous WMSDexposures.

WA State-funded compensableclaims 1994-2004Welders, C utters, Solderers

Hearing loss11%

Ill-Def Symptoms

9%

Neural5%

Other13%

Sprains32%

Contussion/Cut/

Scratches16%

Fracture/

Dislocation14%


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WA State-funded compensableclaims 1994-2004Welders, C utters, Solderers

O t

e %

E

%

B ck eck

o lde 8%

H d A m %

oot Le

0%

By Body PartThe back, neck andshoulder together withthe arm and hand

regions make up morethan one half of theinjuries among weldersin Washington State.

Preventive effortsshould therefore focuson those body partsamong welders at your

workplace.

Welding is a strenuous occupation involvingwork in awkward postures and handlingheavy equipment, usually with a high degreeof sustained stress to arm and shoulders.


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A bsences due to injury or illness andthe transfer of welders to other tasks

Overtime for replacement workers.Welders are skilled employees

High employee turnover

Increased training and supervisorytime

Reduced productivity and quality

C onsequences of a poor working environment


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Rigorous manual precisionrequirements

High degree of uniformity

A wkward and static postures

Difficult work position

Heavy lifting, difficult material

handling Heavy objects, heavy welding equipment

Repetition

High work intensity

OFTEN, MORE THAN RISK FACTOR IS P RESENT

WMDS hazards mostcommon in welding


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Duration (how long?)

Frequency (how often?)

Intensity (how hard?)

Hazard Elements


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Working infront

Working atgroundlevel

Workingabove theshoulders

Working atground level,precision work

Working atground level,confined space

Working aboveshoulders,confined space

C ommon posturesadopted in welding


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Torso twisting

Awkward postures in weldingSevere torso flexion

Kneeling, squatting

Bent wrists

Neck flexion/extension

Shoulder flexion/abduction (separation)

Awkward Postures


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T o simplify the welding tasks for the welder andreduce the physical load during the work

A utomate physically demanding or repetitive jobs

Expand the work content of welders (provideflexibility between jobs)

(Multi-skilled workers who are able to perform

different tasks within a group)

T he goal of a healthy workenvironment


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Often cost, ease of maintenance, spaceconsiderations drive the design of theworkplace

When hazards cant be engineered out, usingbest practices is a good alternative

Examples of good design: providing

opportunities for work station adjustments,providing different types of tools, using goodplanning to eliminate unnecessary work

T he Real World


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Ergonomic Solutions for Welding


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Heavy Lifting

U se: Manipulators Lighter weight

welding equipment

Lighter weight cableswith low stiffness Cable supporting

balancers Overhead hoists Lifting and turningtables


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Awkward Postures

Position work betweenwaist and shoulderwhen possible

Provide lifting tablesU se motorizedpositioning devicesU se welding guns withswivels and designedfor use in both hands

Try work stools


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T eam Lifting

Team lifting helpsreduce heavy,awkward lifting of

equipment andmaterials.

AFTER

From: SIMA San Diego Ergonomics Program

BEFORE


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T ables

This picture showsthe worker withconsiderable

bending over at thewaist

AFTER

From: Shipyard Ergonomics, 2003

BEFOREBecause the work ison a table, theworker doesnt have

to bend over as far


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Pre-Assembly

Pre-assembly andmaterial handlingequipment helps reduceunnecessary lifting orany other kind of manual materialhandling


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Ergonomic improvements

This rotational clampfor pipe helps reduceawkward postures forthe neck, shouldersand arms.


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U se wheeled tables forwelding work and totransport stock and

jobs.

This reduces liftingand carrying of heavy

materials.


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Welding leads onpulleys help reduceheavy and awkwardlifting, and minimizestatic postures.


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Robotic automation is afeasible solution tohighly repetitive motionwith the arms andhands. May also reducethe exposure to fumes.


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Not implementing

some or all theseergonomics guidelinesmay result in thefollowing

Not implementing

some or all theseergonomics guidelinesmay result in thefollowing

Possible C onsequences


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Occur when the physicaldemands of work causewear and tear on the body.

Involve soft tissues suchas muscles, tendons,ligaments, joints, nerves,blood vessels.

They are cumulative (occur overtime and not a result of a single incident):

Work-related musculoskeletaldisorders


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Work-relatedmusculoskeletal disorders

Broken bonesCutsSlipsFallsTripsMotor vehicle accidentsBeing struck by orcaught with objects

They are not acute injuries such as:


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Back injuriesShoulder pain/loss of range of motionT endinitis/BursitisReduced muscle strengthC arpal tunnel syndromeWhite finger Knee joint diseases

Back injuriesShoulder pain/loss of range of motionT endinitis/BursitisReduced muscle strengthC arpal tunnel syndromeWhite finger Knee joint diseases

C ommon disorders amongwelders


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T he Ergonomics C ycle

T he ergonomics cycle

shows an organizedway to start your ergonomics effort.

EmployeeInvolvement

Evaluateprogress

ManagementSupport

ProblemIdentification

SolutionImplementation

AddressInjuries

Training


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SHARP Safety & Health Assessment &Research for Prevention

C reditsT he technical contents of thisslideshow are based upon the

presentation developed byNinica Howard, MS, C PE,research ergonomist with theSH A RP program at the

Washington state Dept. of Labor and Industries.


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More resources

NIOSHs Ergonomic Interventions in the Building, Repair, and Dismantling of Ships

SH A RP Program

Easy Ergonomics . A practical approach for improving the workplace OR OSH A & CA LOSH A Services. www.cbs.state.or.us/osha/pdf/pubs/3347.pdf

On WMSD hazardous exposures visit the DOSH webpage at:www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/ T opics/Ergonomics

Example T emplate of an accident prevention program :www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Basics/Programs/ A ccident

Ideas to reduce hazardous exposures can be found at the Ergonomics Ideas Bank

You may also write us at:ergonomics@LN I.W A .GOV


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T hank you


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