Abstract
Examination of a local power utility’s injury database revealed maintenance personnel to experience high injury rates. Maintenance jobs were analyzed using an ergonomic risk factor screening tool and scaffolding tasks, including walk-board tie-down and frame tube coupling, were found to pose high risks. Factors included high torques at joints and awkward posture positions. The purpose of this study was to conceptualize interventions to reduce risks and conduct experiments to assess the impact of interventions on worker muscle activation and performance. Nine male operators were recruited from the utility and participated in two tests of novel walk-board tie-down and frame coupling equipment. Muscle activation was measured using electromyography in scaffold assemble/disassemble tasks along with time-to-task completion. Results revealed plastic zip-ties and quick-clamping couplers to reduce mean normalized muscle responses and support performance comparable to conventional metal-wire ties and ratcheting clamps. These ergonomic interventions maybe implemented in other areas where scaffolding is used.
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