This will allow the sprayers to use the guns without constant lifting and moving of the hoses. Sprayers must repeatedly activate the trigger mechanism of the spray gun with the wrist in a bent posture as shown in Figure 2. Repeated or prolonged finger activation, especially with the wrist in bent posture creates contact trauma between the tendon, the sheath, and the hard bones and cartilage located in the wrist. Using these types of postures and actions increases the risk of development of MSDs such as tendinitis, tenosynovitis, and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Sprayers should be provided with both foot and hand activation points for the spray guns.
Employees perform repeated lifting of heavy product throughout the production process.
The green ware and fired product consistently weighs in the range of 60 to 75 pounds. Even when lifted with 2 employees the recommended weight is often exceeded due to the posture that employees must assume to perform the task and the rate at which these lifts are performed. Repetitive lifting of this magnitude of weight increases the risk of development of MSDs to the low back. Provide an alternative to, or modify the Langley cart. This cart forces all employees involved in transfer of green product to reach well above shoulder height to load the top level and to bend at the waist to load the bottom level.