Facilities and Trades

FACILITIES AND TRADES


Supporting Yale's educational and research missions are legions of dedicated employees who provide critical maintenance and daily repair services. These include skilled craft persons in trades ranging from plumbers and electricians, HVAC mechanics, carpenters, glaziers, painters. Although many of the safety issues associated with these trades are specific the work they do, there one common one which is ergonomics. This often requires work in awkward places and positions, under various environmental conditions and frequently involves the moving of materials and equipment a nd the use of tools. This section provides information for how to work safely to reduce the risk of ergo injury.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES AND CONTROLS FOR COMMON TASKS:


Material handling:


Consider the following general recommendations for lifting, lowering and carrying loads.

  • Before lifting test the load to determine if it is light enough to lift.
  • Plan your route before lifting and carrying the load.
  • Instead of carrying one heavy load, separate it into smaller, lighter packages and make multiple trips, use a cart or trolley, or ask a co-worker for help.
  • Place or store heavy items at mid-body height to make retrieval easier.
  • Do not lift objects that are slippery, too hot, or unevenly balanced.
  • Make sure you can fit through narrow spaces and that your fingers are out of the way when you set the object down.

Consider the following techniques for lifting, lowering, and carrying loads:

  • Keep your arms and the load as close to your body as possible
  • Bend with your knees and let your legs and hips do most of the work.
  • Do not arch your back.
  • Use small steps when walking with a heavy load.
  • Do not use fast or jerky movements when lifting, especially when lifting heavy objects.

Consider the following recommendations for pushing and pulling.

  • Always use two hands when pushing or pulling. Do not pull with one arm extended behind your body.
  • Ensure that good visibility is possible without awkward motions such as twisting or stretching. If your vision is blocked when pushing a cart from the back, move to the front corner of the cart to push.
  • Keep your upper arms against your rib cage with your elbows in. Keep your hands at or slightly above waist level. Keep your feet shoulder width apart.
  • Bend your knees slightly and move the load by shifting your weight. For example, with one leg in front of the other, bend your knees and move the load by shifting your shifting your weight from your back leg to your front leg.

Using hand and power tools:


In an ideal situation a worker should be able to operate a tool with one hand. It is important that the center of gravity be aligned with the center of the gripping hand .A worker should be able to operate a tool with one hand.
  • Whenever possible a power tool should replace a hand tool
  • Tools with angled handles or tools with pistol-grips are beneficial where the force is exerted in a straight line in the same direction as the straightened forearm and wrist, especially when the force must be applied horizontally.
  • Knowing the job beforehand and selecting the right tools to perform the task(s)
  • Try not to bend the wrists when possible.
  • Avoid high contact loading and static loading
  • Try to reduce excessive gripping force.
  • Avoid awkward and extreme joint positions.
  • Reduce or avoid repetitive finger motions
  • Limit vibration
  • Minimize the amount of force to trigger devices
  • Do not use tools in poor condition
  • Do not use dull tools

Working in awkward locations:


If at all possible try to avoid working in awkward locations. If you need to work in an awkward location follow these tips listed below:
  • Try to keep the body in a “neutral posture”
  • Use mechanical devices to help reduce/eliminate reaching when possible
  • Stretching before working in awkward locations
  • Take frequent mini breaks.
  • Remember to have all tools required for the job in a easy to reach location
  • A “buddy” system may be required for some of these locations.
  • Use of task lighting

Weather Extremes:

  • Keep loads light when working in extreme cold/heat
  • Wear properly designed clothing to decrease heat absorption
  • Use proper protective clothing for workers in cold environments