UC Ergonomics/ Safe Pavement Breakers

Diana J. FloresMPH- University of California, Los Angeles

Michael LopezB.S. Bioengineering- University of California, Berkeley

1

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

2

Background

• Jackhammer Lift Assist

• Pneumatically powered “foot” pushes jackhammer out of the ground

• Reduces effort of lifting/repositioning jackhammer

• Decreases back and shoulder strain

3

Background

• Lift Assist available to workers at PG&E

• Workers prefer not to use device

4

Objective

• Find out why many workers prefer traditional method of jackhammering

5

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

6

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

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Evaluation

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

-PG&E construction worker

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Recommendations

• Decrease activation trigger reach

• Decrease weight of device

• Modify foot such that it conforms to sloped surfaces

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Further Recommendations

• 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

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Challenges

• Project time limitation

• Small Sample Size

• Not much literature specific to Jackhammer MSDs

• Jackhammer injuries not limited to MSDs

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Issues

• Noise

• Vibration

• Road Traffic

• Silica Dust

12

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.

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AcknowledgementsUC 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

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Questions?

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