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| Solution: Power Caulking Guns |
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| Description: |
Using a non-powered caulking gun requires high hand forces to pull the trigger. If you use these guns often and for long periods of time, you are at risk of stressing the soft tissues in your hand, wrist, and forearm. This can lead to serious muscle or joint injuries. The more pressure your gun requires to pull the trigger (low mechanical advantage), the higher your chance of injury. You may have to use even more force when you apply thicker sealant material. If you have to bend your wrist or twist your forearm when pulling the trigger, you also increase your chance of injury. Your chance of developing an injury increases if the gun you use has sharp edges or grooves on the trigger, or has a wide span between the trigger and the grip, forcing you to stretch your hand. The photos below provide an example of the problem, and an photo of a solution: |
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| Risks Addressed: | Stress to your fingers, hand and forearm due to use of a non-powered caulking gun. |
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| How Risks are Reduced: |
A battery (cordless gun) or compressed air (pneumatic gun) provides the power to force the caulk from the gun. Some guns have a variable speed control to manage sealant flow. You do need access to a power source. This may be an electrical outlet or generator to charge the batteries in a cordless gun, or an air compressor to power a pneumatic gun. When you use a pneumatic gun, the hose may produce some resistance (or "drag”) on the tool, possibly increasing the grip force necessary. Cordless guns are available for tube, sausage, and bulk caulks. A 12-volt or higher cordless gun will produce 600+ lbs. of thrust force. Pneumatic guns will handle sausage and bulk caulks. Another device available is a caulk-dispensing adapter that can be used with a cordless drill or variable speed AC drill. These adapters are available for 10oz. and 30oz. caulk cartridges. Quality of Evidence
Reducing the required grip force and hand pressure will reduce fatigue and strain. |
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| Effects on Productivity: |
Use of power caulking guns should result in less soft tissue fatigue, discomfort, and injury. Although power caulking guns are heavier than non-powered guns, they do not require high hand forces to get the caulk out of the gun. One minor drawback is that pneumatic caulking guns are tethered to the air compressor with a hose, and the hose must be moved along with the gun. Quality of Evidence
Reducing the required application force and reducing fatigue is expected to increase productivity. Set up time may be increased somewhat to set up power source. |
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| 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 Cordless Caulking Guns
Pneumatic Caulking Guns
Caulk-Dispensing Attachments for Drills
Approximiate Cost Cordless caulking guns, with 12-volt battery and charger, range from $200-300, depending on size. Pneumatic caulking guns start around $20. Caulking attachments for cordless drills cost $45-50. Equipment like that described here may be available from local retailers or rental companies. |
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| Additional Considerations: | |||
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Sources: | Albers, James T., and Estill, Cheryl F. Simple Solutions: Ergonomics for Construction Workers. DHHS (NIOSH) Publications. March 2007. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh. To view the Table of Contents for the Simple Solutions Document, please visit: http://www.cpwr.com/simple.html. Please send requests for copies of this publication to cdcinfo@cdc.gov, referencing document number 2007-122. |
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