Tag: pulling tasks

Anatomy of Push-Pull Tasks: Placing the Body at Risk

Pushing and pulling tasks are daily life occurrences, particularly, in the workplace. Because of the extreme stress these two forces exert on the body and the frequency with which push-pull tasks must be performed, pushing and pulling result in an extraordinarily high number of musculoskeletal injuries each year. These injuries, which cost U.S. businesses tens of billions of dollars annually, are largely preventable when ergonomic practices and ergonomically-designed equipment are introduced into the workplace.

Surprisingly, it’s not the weight of the load that makes push-pull tasks so physically demanding, it’s the horizontal push force needed to initiate and sustain movement that places the greatest strain on the human body. In order to overcome natural inertia, tremendous force must be applied to initiate motion of a cart or piece of heavy equipment. As the operator strains against inertia, he must exert extraordinary force to start the cart or piece of equipment moving. In his exertions, the operator places unusual strain on the muscles and tendons of his legs, back, shoulders, arms and wrists. Pressure decreases as the load begins rolling as less force is needed to keep a moving load in motion. However, every time the operator must stop and restart motion, for example to onload or offload parts at a workstation or turn a corner or maneuver through a tight space, he must again exert the extraordinary force necessary to overcome inertia, risking serious musculoskeletal injury each time.

Of the two methods used to move carts and pieces of heavy equipment, pushing is always preferable to pulling. Pulling places greater strain on the body than pushing. It forces the worker to assume positions that minimize the application of force and increase the risk of injury. There are two ways to pull a load: using one hand and facing the direction of travel or using two hands but walking backward and facing away from the direction of travel. Both are problematic and increase the risk of operator injury. Next time we’ll talk about the specific risks involved in each type of pulling task.

The severe strain placed on the body when pulling and maneuvering heavy loads or heavy equipment is eliminated with the use of DJ Products’ ergonomically-designed, motorized carts, tugs and movers. DJ Products’ motorized carts and movers allow operators to safely and without effort move and maneuver carts and equipment with just one hand. DJ Products’ walk-behind design guarantees maximum operator control and safety with full view of the path ahead. Visit the DJ Products’ website for more information about our full line of ergonomically-designed carts, tug and movers.

Next time: Risk factors in pulling tasks

Risk Factors Linked to Pulling Tasks

Injuries from pushing and, particularly, pulling tasks cost U.S. businesses tens of billions of dollars each year, yet are largely preventable when ergonomic equipment and ergonomic practices are introduced into the workplace. In our last post, we talked about how these two common work tasks place workers at risk for potentially debilitating musculoskeletal injuries. Today, we take a closer look at the risk factors associated with pulling heavy carts and equipment.

One-handed pulling tasks. When facing the direction of travel, pulling must be done one-handed, significantly decreasing the operator’s control of the load. The worker must stretch his arm out behind him and twist his body unnaturally to face the direction of travel. This places undue strain on the back, shoulder, arm and wrist muscles, increasing the chance injury.

Changing direction or maneuvering a wheeled cart while pulling it behind you with one hand is not only awkward and difficult, it focuses pressure on wrist, elbow and shoulder joints and on the tender muscles of the lower back, increasing muscle strain to dangerous levels. There is also danger that the operator may lose control of the load, particularly when on inclined grades. If the cart “overruns” the operator, there is risk of additional injury to the operator or others in the cart’s path.

Two-handed pulling tasks. When using two hands to pull a load, the operator must walk backwards, facing away from the direction of travel. Pulling places significant stress on the arm, shoulder and wrist muscles. While using two hands allows the operator to maintain better control over the cart, particularly when maneuvering around turns or in tight spaces, the inability to see the travel path invites disaster.

Facing away from his direction of travel, the operator remains unaware of obstacles in his path. He cannot prepare for dips or rough spots in the travel path that can affect his balance or the balance of the equipment he is pulling. He remains unaware of traffic sharing the same path, inviting collision.

The risk of stumbling and being overrun by the equipment he is pulling is increased when the operator is facing away from his direction of travel. Constantly looking over his shoulder twists the body, increasing strain on lower back, shoulders, arm, wrist and neck muscles and inviting injury.

Preventing injury from pulling tasks. DJ Products’ ergonomically-designed, motorized carts, tugs and movers take the strain out of pulling tasks. Battery operation allows a single worker to move loads without physical effort. Walk-behind design allows a full view of the path ahead, guaranteeing maximum operator control and safety. For more information about our full line of ergonomically-designed carts, tugs, and movers, visit the DJ Products website.