Construction Solutions - Extension Poles for Powder-Actuated Tools



Solution: Extension Poles for Powder-Actuated Tools
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	Description:	You work with your arms above your shoulders, an awkward position that may cause sore muscles and joints. Sometimes you have to hold this diffcult position for a long time, or repeat the position over and over during your shift. This can cause fatigue and eventually lead to arm and shoulder problems like bursitis or rotator cuff tendonitis. The photo on the left shows the problem, while the photo on the right illustrates the solution. More Detail An extension pole is a fixed height or modular pole attached to the powder-actuated tool. Using the extension, the tool is entirely out of your hand. All you have to do is squeeze the trigger. Less Detail
	Risks Addressed:	Injury to the hand, arm and shoulder arising from work with arms above your shoulders.
	How Risks are Reduced:	You no longer need to raise your arms above your shoulders and hold them there to work on the ceiling. Quality of Evidence Independent published studies have found a risk reduction. Safety and health experts believe there is a risk reduction. The extension lets you keep a more neutral body posture. Your arms are closer to your body and below your shoulders. This cuts down on the risk of injury to your shoulders, arms, and hands. There is also less recoil shock directed to your shoulders and neck. In addition, you can work on the ground rather than using a ladder, scaffold, or lift.
	Effects on Productivity:	Productivity may improve when there is less setup time using the tool extension, because there are no are no ladders, scaffolds, or lifts needed. Quality of Evidence Safety and health experts believe there is an increase in productivity. Workers have less chance of developing a shoulder, arm, and hand injury. With the tool attached to the pole, you can keep your arms below your shoulders. You will also feel less recoil shock at your shoulder. Moreover, with the gun further from your head, the noise exposure will be lower. Using the pole will also keep your eyes and face further from the concrete dust and debris. You do still need to look up to position the shot, which puts some strain on your neck.
	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 Hilti USA, Tulsa, OK, www.us.hilti.com ITW Ramset® Fastening Systems, Wood Dale, IL, www.ramset-redhead.com Approximate Cost A modular pole assembly costs from $300-400. However, if ladders, scaffolds, or lifts were rented for this work in the past, you will no longer have this cost.
	Additional Considerations:
	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 Excavation & Demolition Remove or recycle interior structures, doors and windows Overhead work Insulation & Lagging Blow and place insulation into walls, ceilings and thermal controlled areas and equipment Stooped postures Install and apply fire stop products Overhead work Place finished insulation around duct, pipes, tanks, vessels and mechanical equipment Stooped postures 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 Tape, mud and sand drywall Overhead work Masonry, Cement & Plaster Applying coats of plaster or stucco Overhead work Stooped postures Chipping, scraping and grinding surfaces or joints Construction dust Overhead work Cutting bricks, blocks, stone, concrete, tile or terrazzo Stooped postures Drilling holes and installing reinforcing rods and anchors Stooped postures Forming, pouring, laying or applying refractory materials Stressful hand & wrist activity Laying or setting brick, block, stone, tile or marble Stooped postures Mixing cement, mortar, plaster, or grout Overhead work Stooped postures Operating power vibrator to compact concrete or grout Overhead work Stooped postures Pouring or transporting cement, mortar, plaster, or grout Overhead work Stooped postures Transporting bricks, blocks, stone, tile, terrazzo or marble and riggings Stooped postures Paints & Coatings Exterior paint with spray, brush or roller Overhead work Hand tool surface preparation Overhead work Interior paint with spray gun, brush or roller Overhead work Mechanical Surface preparation Overhead work Paint machinery, piping, signs, etc. Overhead work Pressure wash and chemical surface prep and stripping Overhead work Tape and sand wallboard Overhead work Pipes & Vessels 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 Kneeling & Squatting 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 Stooped postures Install pipe assemblies, fittings, valves, appliances and fixtures Stooped postures Lay and align pipe in trenches Stooped postures Repair or replace defective vessel parts Overhead work Weld, braze, solder, cut, or gouge pipe sections or vessel parts Overhead work Stooped postures Reinforced Concrete Build forms, lay down decking Stooped postures Chipping & surface preparation Hand-Arm Vibration Cut or bend rebar Kneeling & Squatting Overhead work Stooped postures Finish concrete Hand-Arm Vibration Kneeling & Squatting Stooped postures Mixing concrete Stooped postures Pour, pump, vibrate concrete Overhead work Stooped postures Stressful hand & wrist activity Remove forms Overhead work Surface grinding or cutting Kneeling & Squatting Overhead work Stooped postures Tie or cap rebar Overhead work Unload, store, move, place rebar Stooped postures Sheet Metal & HVAC Apply caulk, cement and mastic sealants Overhead work Stooped postures Assemble fittings and fasten seams and joints using hand and power tools Overhead work Stooped postures Install heating and air conditioning duct hangers & ductwork Overhead work Stooped postures Install risers Overhead work Structural Steel Drill, grind and saw materials Kneeling & Squatting More Links
	Sources:	Albers, James T., and Estill, Cheryl F. Simple Solutions: Ergonomics for Construction Workers. DHHS(NIOSH) Pub. No. 2007-122. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh. To see other solutions from this NIOSH document, visit: http://www.cpwr.com/simple.html.