Construction Solutions - Drill Bit Extension



Solution: Drill Bit Extension
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	Description:	Overhead drilling puts strain on the shoulders, arms, neck, and back. Forces are increased at the shoulder since the weight of the power tool is held away from the body. Drill bit extensions can be attached to a drill or screw gun allowing a worker to hold the tool below the shoulder and closer to the waist. This innovation reduces force at the shoulder and minimizes strain of the arms. Figure 1. Traditional Drilling Figure 2. Drilling with Extended Drill Bit More Detail A drill bit extension is made by welding a standard socket to a steel rod or tube. A drill bit is welded to the other end of the steel rod or tube, so the extended drill bit can be inserted into a drill or screw gun chuck. PVC pipe is placed over the extension as a sleeve to protect the worker’s hand from the spinning shaft. The PVC sleeve also provides better control of the tool. Workers hold the power tool with one hand and the sleeve with the other (Figure 2). Drill bit extensions are available in many different lengths and diameters. Lengths generally run from 12 to 40 inches. It is also possible to make your own extension. Before using an extension for drilling or fastening, it should determine whether it is appropriate for the job. Less Detail
	Risks Addressed:	Strain to the arms, neck, shoulders, and back due to overhead drilling.
	How Risks are Reduced:	Bit extensions reduce a worker’s chance of developing musculoskeletal injuries. Workers are less fatigued when they do not have to hold a heavy tool above their shoulders for long periods of time. You strain your arms, neck, shoulders, and back less because you don't have to hold the tool above your shoulders or work in an awkward position. You work with your upper arms held close to your sides, and your hanfs in front of your body. Quality of Evidence Independent published studies have found a risk reduction. Manufacturers, vendors, or worksites have reported a risk reduction. Safety and health experts believe there is a risk reduction. Independent studies have shown that working overhead increases the incidence of injury to the shoulder, arms, neck, and back. Reducing the vertical and/or horizontal distance that the tool is away from the body lessens the stress on worker’s shoulders and arms. Using an extended drill bit also eliminates the need for ladders and step stools. Most drilling tasks can be accomplished while standing on the ground. The risk of falling is decreased or eliminated. Manufacturers report that the extension is easy to use after a little practice. The extension does not add significant weight of the drill, as it weighs less than 2 lbs. Anecdotal evidence from workers who have used drill bit extensions confirms that there is less strain on the shoulder.
	Effects on Productivity:	Extended drill bits increase productivity by decreasing the time to accomplish drilling tasks. Quality of Evidence Safety and health experts believe there is an increase in productivity. When using an extended drill bit, workers do not have to move and adjust ladders and step stools when moving from one drilling area to another. They are able to easily walk between areas and decrease the time it takes to complete a job.
	Return on Investment:	No specific calculation ROI information exists for this particular solution, however, there are some general approaches that might be useful for a “Return On Investment” analysis. For a general discussion of these approaches, visit our “Return on Investment Calculation” page.
	Availability:	Where to Get It Greenlee Textron Inc www.greenlee.com Irwin Industrial Tool Co., Wilmington, OH, www.irwin.com Equipment like that described here may be available from local retailers or rental companies. Approximate Cost You can make your own bit extension, which wil cost $1-2 for materials plus your time. Manufactured fit extensionis cost from approximately $12 for a 12-inch model to $45 for a 24-inch model.
	Additional Considerations:	You can make your own bit extension, which will cost $1–2 for materials plus your time. Manufactured bit extensions cost from approximately $12 for a 12-inch model to $45 for a 24-inch model. For safety, make sure you push the extension onto the drill chuck tightly, before you turn on the power. In a screw gun, the screw must also be tight in the bit. A drill bit extension does not prevent the neck from being bent back while drilling overhead. Workers shoulder be instructed to change stressful neck positions frequently. Alternately, job rotation has been used at many worksites to minimize exposure to excessive backward bending of the neck. Workers should always wear safety goggles when using an extended drill bit due to falling debris from the drill hole.
	Hazards Addressed:	Carpentry Construct suspended ceiling interior systems Overhead work Inspect and work from scaffolding and pump jacks Overhead work Install cabinets, countertops and moldings Overhead work Install doors, windows and associated hardware Overhead work Place wood, metal or engineered floor and ceiling beams Overhead work Electrical Climb poles and structures Overhead work Cut, shape and place conduit and wire trays Kneeling & Squatting Lifting and Carrying (Manual materials handling) Overhead work Install and maintain electrical control system Kneeling & Squatting Install and maintain motors, pumps, fixtures, lights Overhead work Install and maintain temporary wiring systems on construction sites Overhead work Install and repair high voltage lines, transformers, switches Kneeling & Squatting Install interior wiring systems Kneeling & Squatting Overhead work Pull wire through conduits Kneeling & Squatting Overhead work Splice and connect wiring systems Kneeling & Squatting Work access from Aerial Lift, bucket truck, scissor lift, ladder Overhead work Work with or remove old wiring Kneeling & Squatting Overhead work Excavation & Demolition Remove or recycle interior structures, doors and windows Overhead work Heavy Equipment Operation Assemble and disassemble crane Overhead work Insulation & Lagging Assemble and dismantle scaffolding Overhead work Attach insulation with tape, staples, glue, wire and bands Overhead work Blow and place insulation into walls, ceilings and thermal controlled areas and equipment Overhead work Install and apply fire stop products Overhead work Maintain and remove old insulation including asbestos Overhead work Place finished insulation around duct, pipes, tanks, vessels and mechanical equipment Overhead work Interiors, Drywall & Glass Install cabinets, countertops, molding and doors Overhead work Install suspended ceiling systems Overhead work Move and install drywall or panels Overhead work Place and install fixtures and hardware Overhead work Masonry, Cement & Plaster Applying coats of plaster or stucco Overhead work Chipping, scraping and grinding surfaces or joints Overhead work Stooped postures Cutting bricks, blocks, stone, concrete, tile or terrazzo Hand-Arm Vibration Stooped postures Drilling holes and installing reinforcing rods and anchors Hand-Arm Vibration Stooped postures Stressful hand & wrist activity Erecting and dismantling scaffolding Overhead work Forming, pouring, laying or applying refractory materials Hand-Arm Vibration Overhead work Laying or setting brick, block, stone, tile or marble Overhead work Mixing cement, mortar, plaster, or grout Overhead work Operating power vibrator to compact concrete or grout Overhead work Stooped postures Pouring or transporting cement, mortar, plaster, or grout Overhead work Stooped postures Spreading, leveling, and smoothing concrete, mortar or terrazzo mixtures Overhead work Pipes & Vessels Assemble pipes, tubing and fittings Kneeling & Squatting Assemble vessel structures and parts Overhead work Cut and drill holes in structures prior to pipe installation Overhead work Cut, thread, hammer and bend pipes and vessel tubes Overhead work Deburr and grind pipes and vessel tubes Overhead work Dig, grade, level and cover trenches Stooped postures Disassemble and remove damaged or worn pipe Overhead work Install bricks and other refractory materials in fireboxes Overhead work Repair or replace defective vessel parts Overhead work Weld, braze, solder, cut, or gouge pipe sections or vessel parts Overhead work Reinforced Concrete Build forms, lay down decking Overhead work Cut or bend rebar Overhead work Pour, pump, vibrate concrete Overhead work Remove forms Overhead work Stooped postures Surface grinding or cutting Overhead work Tie or cap rebar Overhead work Unload, store, move, place rebar Overhead work Roofing Erect and climb ladders and scaffolds Overhead work Sheet Metal & HVAC Apply caulk, cement and mastic sealants Overhead work Assemble fittings and fasten seams and joints using hand and power tools Kneeling & Squatting Overhead work Stressful hand & wrist activity Install flashing, rain gutters and down spouts Kneeling & Squatting Overhead work Install heating and air conditioning duct hangers & ductwork Overhead work Stressful hand & wrist activity Install risers Kneeling & Squatting Overhead work Stressful hand & wrist activity Layout, shear, drill and punch holes in metal Stooped postures Stressful hand & wrist activity Rig and set HVAC equipment with cranes, helicopters, hoists and lifts Overhead work Weld, braze and solder seams and joints Overhead work Structural Steel Assemble and disassemble structural members in shop and field Overhead work Stressful hand & wrist activity Build or erect false work Overhead work Drill, grind and saw materials Overhead work Unload, assemble, jump and diassemble cranes Overhead work Weld, place or bolt exterior skin Overhead work Weld, plasma cut, air-arc and flame cut metal Overhead work More Links
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