UC Ergonomics/Safe Pavement Breakers Presentation

Background

• In construction…
  • 5 out of every 100 workers injured
  • >50% of injuries = Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
• Jackhammering causes back and shoulder MSDs
• Stuck jackhammer = increased strain
• Looking for a solution to help prevent MSDs

• Jackhammer Lift Assist
• Pneumatically powered “foot” pushes jackhammer out of the ground
• Reduces effort of lifting/repositioning jackhammer
• Decreases back and shoulder strain

• Lift Assist available to workers at PG&E
• Workers prefer not to use device

Objective

• Find out why many workers prefer traditional method of jackhammering

Methods

• Site visits at PG&E (2)
• Worker interviews (4)
• Worker Questionnaires (4)
• Interviews with Ergonomist and Construction experts
• Interview with PG&E union rep (IBEW 1245)
• Visited Northern California Laborer’s Training Center in San Ramon

What we learned

THE GOOD:

• Helpful on flat, open ground
• Reduces back and shoulder strain
• Well accepted once workers give it a try

THE BAD:

• Not appropriate for all situations (hills, limited space)
• Decreases accuracy of work
• Large reach for activation trigger Adds 10lbs weight

Evaluation

“It’s a good idea, but it needs some work”

-PG&E construction worker

Recommendations

• Decrease activation trigger reach
• Decrease weight of device
• Modify foot such that it conforms to sloped surfaces

• Larger storage compartment for device
• Put jackhammer away as a team when possible
• Conduct periodic safety training for individual work crews on jackhammer risks and precautions.
• Incorporate Lift Assist into initial jackhammer trainings

Challenges

• Project time limitation
• Small Sample Size
• Not much literature specific to Jackhammer MSDs
• Jackhammer injuries not limited to MSDs

Issues

• Noise
• Vibration
• Road Traffic
• Silica Dust

Successes

• Cooperative PG&E liaisons and crews
• Interviews with ergonomics and construction experts
• Sufficient videotape footage
• Understanding additional construction work hazards that we were not previously aware of.

Acknowledgements

UC Ergonomics Lab

• Maggie Robbins
• Dr. David Rempel
• Betsy Llosa
• Staff

CA. Dept. of Public Health

• Dr. Bob Harrison
• David Harrington
• Staff

Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics

Occupational Health Internship Program

• Diane Bush
• Sarah Jacobs

PG&E

• Garret Chang
• Taisir Shurasa
• Work Crews

Northern CA. Laborer’s Training Center

• Ollie Hurl
• Jerome Williams

Questions?