Ergonomics Assignment- II‘Ergonomics in

Carpentry’

Submitted By: -Ishan Rastogi (08)Mona Kumari (12)Prerna Tirkey(18)

INTRODUCTION

Carpentry is the art or science of measuring, cutting, fitting, and assembling wood to construct buildings or other structures.

Symptoms of Professional Health Hazards related to Carpentry

• Continual fatigue or lack of endurance• Cold hands, particularly in the fingertips• Changes in the skin colour of hands or fingers• Swelling • Numbness• Tingling• Weakness• Loss of sensation• Aching, burning, or shooting pain

Problem Areas

• Back• Hands • Neck• Fingers• Shoulders• Knees• Arms

Reasons for injuries • Performing the same or similar movement over

and over without breaks, rest, or time for recovery.• Exerting force to perform a task or to use a tool.• Working in awkward positions such as bending, stooping, twisting, and overhead reaching.• Remaining in the same position for a long time with little or no movement.• Continuous pressure from a hard surface or edge on any part of the body.• Working in extreme temperatures, such a climate or those produced by equipment or machines.• Sitting on, standing on, or holding equipment that vibrates.

Distribution of health complaints (%) related to poor ergonomic practices among carpenters in small-scale industries

Health complaints Percentage (Sample size=270)

Electric shock 16.6%

Excessive noise 27.7%

Excessive heat 22.2%

Exposure to metal dust 3.7%

Repetitive strain injuries 14.8%

Repetitive motion injuries 25.9%

Chronic back pain 16.6%

Chronic neck pain 35.1%

Chronic shoulder pain 33.3%

Absence of a worktable or a bench 3.7%

Painting above shoulder level 6.3%

Source: L.M.B. Rongo ; Are workers in small-scale industries in Dar es Salaam aware of occupational ergonomics principles?

Most common injuriesBack - 21% Fingers/Hands -

15% Knees - 7%

Source: ERGONOMIC SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR C A R P E N T E R S a n d F R A M E R S; Consultation CAL OSHA service

Some Major Problems:

Musculoskeletal disorder

• Application of force• Repetitive motion• Overall muscular fatigue• Contact stress• Awkward posture.• Manual handling tasks• Combinations of physical tasks performed for more than 1 hour at a time

Application of force

Back Strain◦Unbalanced carrying or lifting (e.g., the

bulk of the load supported by one side of the body)

◦Unstable, unbalanced, difficult, or awkward to handle loads being moved.

◦Back muscle strain and Spinal Estenosis

Wrist and shoulder injury

◦Application of force

◦Extension◦Hand Stretch◦Awkward posture ◦Bad handling of tools

◦Acute Trauma Disorder

Twisting and repetition

◦Bones and muscles will get weak.

◦Muscles and ligaments sprains

◦Bones displacement

Poor Lighting

◦Glare◦Refraction and Reflection

◦Light source◦Environment and contrast

Working in a bent or stooped posture for a long time may cause fatigue and strain the lower back,

neck, and shoulders.

Lifting or carrying loads that are too heavy may cause a serious back injury.

Working overhead and reaching for long periods of time may lead to

lower back, arm, shoulders, and neck injuries.

Repetitive motion

Overall muscular fatigue

Grip/Contact stress

Awkward posture

Manual handling tasks

Fingers and forearm stress

Elbow stress

Poor housekeeping/work environment

Hand tool usage

Ergonomic Check List

Key to Check List

Colour Code:

  High risk

  Medium risk

  Low risk

ReferencesCARPENTRYII; Subcourse EN5156; EDITION B;

United States Army Engineer School; Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri 65473

Ergonomics Demonstration Projects in Carpentry, Labourers, Rebar and Concrete Finishing; Department of Labour and Industries, December 2001

L.M.B. Rongo; Are workers in small-scale industries in Dar es Salaam aware of occupational ergonomics principles?

Ergonomics Survival Guide for Carpenters and Framers; Consultation CAL OSHA service

Thank You!!