INSURANCE I.Q

INSURANCE I.Q. STRAINS, SPRAINS, AND MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES IN AUTO TECHNICIANS Reducing the Pain

Every day, your workers are subject to numerous hazards ranging from exposure to chemicals to having a vehicle strike them. Among the most significant hazards are those associated with actual repair work that requires reaching and with tasks that require manual lifting.

The injuries that service technicians sustain result from the positions in which the technician must work in and in the lifting, moving and installation of heavy objects. Twisting the torso, reaching above shoulder level, taking shortcuts (such as not removing panels to change a light bulb), working under a dashboard or at the back of the engine and failing to use safe lifting techniques are just a few examples.

Reaching into the engine or into the vehicle’s trunk can overextend the torso leading to muscle fatigue, as well as strains and sprains. Technicians working at the front of the engine are less likely to sustain these types of injuries because they can brace themselves against the vehicle and maintain a neutral body position. However, when technicians need to reach into the engine near the dashboard, they may have to assume an awkward position to complete the work. In addition, technicians perform the same types of tasks multiple times a day and often sustain awkward positions for longer than is safe, so they can complete their work on time.

Lifting and carrying activities contribute significantly to injuries among auto service technicians. As cars come in for repair, your technicians determine what auto components they will need to finish the repairs. If the components are not in stock, you probably order them from a supplier who can deliver them close to the service bays. If the components are in stock, your technicians probably get what they need by themselves. Getting wires, tubing or nuts and bolts is generally not a problem unless they are stored on a lower or upper shelf that forces the technician to reach above shoulder height or to bend down to locate what he/she needs. It is the tires, batteries and other heavy components that potentially expose technicians to harm. If technicians need to lift and carry these components manually, they are at risk of a back injury.

There are measures you can take to minimize or eliminate these hazards. The first is to provide appropriate material handling tools such as hand carts and carts to move items from place to place. The second, and equally important, measure is to provide your technicians with training in safe lifting techniques and back health. Hand trucks and the like, if properly used, can help to prevent the injuries that lifting and carrying heavy objects cause.

Adherence to safe lifting techniques can help to minimize technicians’ injuries from lifting and twisting. Keep in mind that technicians may have to load that hand truck or cart themselves.

Checklist

• Technicians wear protective shoes with good cushioning to prevent back pain and steel caps to prevent toe injuries if they drop a heavy object. • Technicians wear appropriate protective gloves when lifting and handling objects to prevent lacerations from sharp edges and to avoid dropping components that may be greasy or oily. Many back injuries occur because technicians attempt to catch a heavy object that they have dropped. • Floors are free of grease, oil and other substances that may result in a slip and fall accident. Floors should also be free of trip hazards such as electrical cords or tools. • Floors are even and free of cracks. If there is a change in elevation, signs are in place to remind technicians to be cautious. • Technicians receive training in the proper use of handling devices. Training should take place after hire and before job assignment and at least annually thereafter. • Technicians receive training in safe lifting procedures. Training should take place after hire and before job assignment and at least annually thereafter. • The most frequently used components are on middle shelves while less frequently used components are on the upper and lower shelves. This helps to prevent back and shoulder injuries from overreaching. • There is a sturdy stepladder available for reaching components above technicians’ heads. • Technicians have good quality, job specific tools that can ease the stress on muscles while performing tasks such as removing nuts and bolts. • A hoist system is in place to assist technicians with the removal and replacement of heavy automotive components. • Lifting and carrying devices are available, receive an inspection at least weekly to spot damaged wheels or loose components, and receive maintenance according to the manufacturers’ instructions. • Long-handled mirrors are available to reduce the amount of time technicians have to be under vehicles or their dashboards. • Management encourages technicians to take a brief rest and to stretch, especially after holding an awkward

position for a long time. • Management also encourages technicians to maintain a healthy lifestyle including exercise to keep muscles strong and flexible.

Safe Lifting Procedures

• Plan the move before lifting; remove obstructions from your chosen pathway. • Test the weight of the load before lifting by pushing the load along its resting surface. • If the load is too heavy or bulky, use lifting and carrying aids such as hand trucks, dollies, pallet jacks and carts or ask a coworker for help. • If you need help to perform a lift, coordinate and communicate your movements with those of the person assisting you.

When Lifting

• Position your feet six to 12 inches apart, placing one foot slightly in front of the other. • Face the load. • Bend at the knees, not at the back. • Keep your back straight. • Get a firm grip on the object with your hands and fingers. Use handles when present. • Never lift anything if your hands are greasy or wet. • Wear protective gloves when lifting objects with sharp corners or jagged edges. • Hold objects as close to your body as you can. • Lift smoothly and gradually; do not jerk the load. • If you must change direction while lifting or carrying the load, pivot your feet and turn your entire body. Do not twist at the waist. • Set down objects in the same manner as you picked them up, except in reverse. • Do not lift an object from the floor to a level above your waist in one motion. Set the load down on a table or bench and then adjust your grip before lifting it higher. • Slide materials to the end of the tailgate before attempting to lift them from a truck bed.

Unfortunately, some of the awkward positions technicians may assume while working under the dashboard or working at the back of the engine result from the vehicle’s design. A designer’s primary concern is to provide the buying public with what it wants at a price it will pay, and not on worker safety. This is where management’s encouragement to work safely, to rest and stretch, and to maintain a healthy lifestyle can improve technician safety and well-being.

For more information, contact Brad Schmid at bschmid@cbiz.com or (763) 549-2247. continued from page 6 a year and are well understood, solutions do not appear to be on the horizon. The challenges of operating remotely will only grow as the legislative session moves into high gear with deadlines and conference committee work in the coming months. At this point, it appears that only widespread distribution of the vaccine will bring back a normal process at the legislature.