Timothy J. Pizatella

Hand Placement in Manual Materials Handling

This paper reviews the use of handles on containers and manually propelled vehicles. It is concluded that handle shape and size are relatively easy to define, but placement of handles on containers represents a more difficult problem. Laboratory and field studies of hand and handle placement are reviewed with the conclusion that handles should be placed so as to give both horizontal and vertical stability, except for heavy lifting, in which a symmetrical handle placement may be preferred, as it minimizes arm forces.

Fire fighter fatalities 1998–2001: overview with an emphasis on structure related traumatic fatalities

Objective: To review the causes of all fire fighter line-of-duty-deaths from 1998 through 2001, and present recommendations for preventing fatalities within the specific subgroup of structure related events. Methods: Fire fighter fatality data from the United States Fire Administration were reviewed and classified into three main categories of injury. Investigations conducted through the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program provided the basis for the recommendations presented in this paper. Results: During the time period from 1998–2001, there were 410 line-of-duty deaths among fire fighters in the United States, excluding the 343 fire fighters who died at the World Trade Center on 11 September 2001. The 410 fatalities included 191 medical (non-traumatic) deaths (47%), 75 motor vehicle related fatalities (18%), and 144 other traumatic fatalities (35%). The latter group included 68 fatalities that were associated with structures which commonly involved structural collapse, rapid fire progression, and trapped fire fighters. Conclusions: Structural fires pose particular hazards to fire fighters. Additional efforts must be directed to more effectively use what we have learned through the NIOSH investigations and recommendations from published experts in the safety community, consensus standards, and national fire safety organizations to reduce fire fighter fatalities during structural fire fighting.

Simulation of the after-reach hazard on power presses using dual palm button actuation

This paper describes a study of the after-reach hazard when a power press simulator is used. The after-reach hazard occurs when a worker reaches into a point of operation on a power press after the press cycle has been initiated. The hand-reach speed of industrial workers was measured to quantify the after-reach hazard and to determine variables that may affect after-reach movements. Significant differences in hand speed were identified, which were based on the age and gender of the worker. The location of the dual palm buttons in relation to the point of operation also significantly affected hand speed. Male workers who were 30 years of age or younger demonstrated the fastest hand speed and thus appear more likely to sustain a traumatic injury due to the after-reach hazard. The results of this study are compared with current federal standards.

Understanding and evaluating manual handling injuries: NIOSH research studies

This paper presents an overview of NIOSH research aimed at characterizing and identifying intervention strategies for reducing musculoskeletal injuries during manual handling activities. Surveillance and evaluative research projects are reviewed. Future research directions of the Institute are also discussed.

The use of simulation for developing safe workstation designs for mechanical power presses

Simulation can provide a nonhazardous method for testing various equipment designs before selecting an option for implementation. A power press simulator was developed to evaluate workstation design options for foot switch and dual palm button actuation devices. Two experiments were performed with the simulator, reproducing several causal events that can result in amputations on mechanical power presses. Safety implications for workstation designers are discussed, as well as general considerations on the use of simulation for achieving a design that is as safe as possible.

Simulation of the After-Reach Hazard on Dual Palm Button Workstations

This paper describes a study of the after-reach hazard using a power press simulator. The after-reach hazard occurs when a worker reaches into the point of operation on a power press after initiating the downstroke of the press ram. The hand reaching capabilities of industrial power press operators were measured to quantify hand reach speed and to determine variables which may affect after-reach movement times. The results of this study identified three variables which may be important in characterizing a workers ability to make rapid hand reach movements: age, gender, and the location of the dual palm button workstation. Another key finding was that male workers, 30 years of age and younger, had the fastest hand reach speed of all groups tested and appear to be at the greatest risk of sustaining a traumatic injury due to the after-reach hazard.

Ergonomic Evaluation of a Cabinet Manufacturing Facility

A Health Hazard Evaluation was conducted by researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Safety Research at a cabinet manufacturing facility. Company management requested the evaluation due to a high incidence of musculoskeletal disorders mat were thought to be job related. Ergonomic assessments of selected jobs in raw material handling, sawing operations, frame assembly, sanding and painting, cabinet assembly, and the packaging-shipping departments were performed. Company log of injuries and company injury surveillance data were reviewed. Jobs were identified that imposed potentially stressful biomechanical demands on the workers. These included heavy lifting, pushing and transporting heavy loads, fatiguing postures, repetitive lifting involving twisting the trunk and excessive reaching, and repetitive motions of the trunk and upper limbs. Survey data indicate that manual material handling jobs, repetitive motion tasks, and operation of saws, planers, and sanders are potential hazards. Recommendations to reduce injury risk are to provide basic safety training for all employees, and redesign equipment to reduce stress during heavy lifting, transporting loads, and while performing repetitive tasks.