Information on this page is drawn from "Ergonomics Best Practices for the Construction Industry" published by the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation
Situation
Many of the tasks that Hawley Landscape performs require heavy lifting. For example, after pruning, employees manually load brush, branches and trimmings into a truck. They use a tarp or wheelbarrow to drag or push the material over to the truck, and then they lift the tarp up into the truck or push the wheelbarrow up a ramp. These activities can create large loads on the shoulders and back, thus increasing the risk of shoulder injury and back pain.
Solution
Hawley Landscape purchased four hydraulic lift gates for dump trucks. The lift gates eliminate the loading and unloading of other equipment, as well as plant materials. They also help prevent workers from slipping off while climbing into or off of the truck. These lift gates eliminate the repetitive bending and twisting of the trunk associated with the lifting tasks.
Results (after 7 months)
Hawley Landscape was awarded $16,216 for its equipment that was estimated to cost $20,270.
• Productivity went from loading one wheelbarrow at a time to three.
• The CTD incidence rate has declined from 15.5 CTDs per 200,000 hours to 0 — a 100-percent improvement.
• The CTD lost day rate dropped from 124 days per 200,000 hours to 0 — a 100-percent improvement.
• The restricted days rate and turnover rate remained at 0.
• Average risk factor scores for the affected tasks changed from 35 to 28 - a 20-percent reduction.