Municipal employees are exposed to a variety of ergonomic hazards. Considering the hazards and adjusting can prevent injuries and make tasks faster and easier.
Ideas for improved ergonomics:
Add wheels – use wheeled equipment such as a wheelbarrow, barrel cart, tank cart, or a bucket dolly to make moves easier and remove the risk of injuries.
Delegate heavy lifting – use a mechanical aid to lift heavy or awkward objects such as a truck-mounted hoist for lifting manhole covers, a raised storage rack for sand/salt spreaders, a trailer-mounted crane for loading/unloading tinhorns, and modify a floor jack to hold grader bits and plow blades during removal or installation.
Take advantage of replacement cycles –replace equipment with tools that are lighter, produce less vibration, or require less force during use.
Bring work closer to the employees – use a seat during vehicle maintenance to reduce kneeling and squatting. Adjustable height work benches and portable platforms make maintenance easier.
Other ideas for Ergonomic improvements
Store frequently used or heavy items on shelves between knee and shoulder height.
Stage deliveries of wood, gravel, and other materials as close to the point of use as possible.
Use aerial lifts instead of ladders.
Replace valves that must be turned by hand with electronic valves that don’t freeze or rust.
Identifying ergonomic hazards and working to improve conditions will protect your employees and save the municipality money.
