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The Directorate of Logistics at Fort Carson requested an evaluation of potential
ergonomic hazards in their Engine Rebuild Facility. Tasks in this area
require repetitive motions, forceful hand exertions, prolonged standing, and
non-neutral wrist and whole body postures. Injuries have already occurred.
Most notably, one of the employees in the Engine Rebuild Facility had to
have carpal tunnel release surgery.
The U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine ergonomic
evaluation team was impressed with the motivation, interest, and commitment
of the employees and the Commander of the Directorate of Logistics at Fort
Carson.
The evaluation team identified specific ergonomic hazards in the Engine Rebuild
Facility. These hazards can contribute to cumulative trauma disorders,
resulting in decreased productivity, increased errors, lost work time, and
increased costs. Below are the evaluation team's findings and
recommendations.
|
Findings |
Recommendations |
|
Awkward wrist postures |
Educate employees on preferred wrist postures. |
|
Repetitive wrist motions |
Eliminate production requirements. |
|
Awkward back and neck
postures |
Provide workbenches and engine stands that
are
adjustable in height. |
|
Prolonged standing |
Provide anti-fatigue mats, minimum ½-inch thick. |
|
Vibration exposure to
the
wrists |
Provide hand tools with vibration-dampening handles. |
|
Mechanical stress to the hands |
Pad
hand tools. |
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Use
of inappropriate tools |
Eliminate production requirements. |
For more information about USACHPPM ergonomic assessments, contact
services@ergoworkinggroup.org |
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