Information on this page is drawn from "Masonry Industry" published by Department of Labor and Industries
Summary of Hazardous Activities and Solutions
- Hazardous Activity: Awkward postures (kneeling, hands over head, back bent) - while setting tile
(Solution: rotate to setting tile at different heights; rotate between kneeling and squatting, rotate to other tasks, rotate floor tile kneeling task with finisher) - Hazardous Activity: Highly repetitive motion - while setting smaller tile (for example, 4" tile)
(Solution: rotate to installing larger tiles as well (less highly repetitive) ) - Hazardous Activity: Repeated impact (using the hand as a hammer while setting tile)
(Solution: use a wooden board and hammer, use a rubber mallet) - Hazardous Activity: Lifting and repetitive motion for installing pavers
(Solution: rotate to non-installation tasks, use mechanical lifters/ positioners)
Installing Floor Tile
Hazardous Activity:
Workers doing extensive amounts of floor tile installation can be exposed to more than 4 hours per day of kneeling.
Solution:
Rotate between kneeling and squatting; rotating kneeling tasks with apprentice (finisher); and rotating to non-floor tile installation (wall tile, ceiling tile, other activities); would reduce kneeling below the hazard level.
Optional Good Ideas:
- Stand up as a break from kneeling - whenever possible
- Use high quality kneepads (Note: Kneepads are not considered PPE for ergonomics. Kneepads distribute force on the knee's surface, but don't reduce the internal force on the knee joint.)
Installing Wall Tile
Hazardous Activity:
Workers doing extensive amounts of wall tile installation can be exposed to too many hours of working with their hands above their head, with their backs bent, or kneeling:
(Hands over the head, or elbows over the shoulders: > 4 hrs per day)
(Back bent: > 30 degrees for more than 4 hrs per day, or > 45 degrees for more than 2 hrs per day)
(Kneeling: > 4 hrs per day)
Solution:
Rotating to wall tile installation at different levels (lower and higher), or possibly floor tile installation, would reduce the hands above the head and back bent postures, and kneeling, below hazard levels. Kneeling can also be rotated with squatting and sitting. Rotating to floor tile installation would reduce exposure to hands above the head and back bent postures, but add too much kneeling if the wall tile installation task required extensive kneeling.
Hazardous Activity:
Workers use their hand as a hammer for setting wall tiles.
(> once per minute for more than 2 hrs per day)
Solution:
Use of a wooden board and hammer, a rubber mallet, or using press force only (no hard impact of hand) to set tiles, would reduce the repeated impact hazard below hazard levels.
Hazardous Activity:
Workers doing extensive installation of small tiles (for example, 4") can be exposed to highly repetitive motion of the tile-applying hand:
(> 6 hrs per day with bent wrist only) (no high hand force)
(> 2 hrs per day with bent wrist and high hand force (> 10 lbs per hand) )
Solution:
Rotation away from application of many small tiles would reduce the repetitive motion below hazard levels.
Optional Good Ideas:
(Back Bent)
- Stand on a stable non-slip platform for reaching higher wall areas
- Sit on bucket/stool, or short rolling cart, for low wall work
- Rotate to tile installation at lower or higher levels
(Kneeling) - Rotate between kneeling, squatting, and sitting
- Rotate to tile installation at higher levels
(Repeated Impact) - Use wooden board and hammer
- Use rubber mallet
- Press force only (no hard impact on hand)
(Highly Repetitive Motion) - Rotate away from highly repetitive application of smaller tiles (to installation of larger tiles, or to non-installation tasks)
(General Good idea) - Apply tiles with the other hand part of the time
Installing Tile Ceilings (tile overhead)
Hazardous Activity:
Workers doing extensive amounts of tile ceiling installation can be exposed to more than 4 hours per day of working with their hands above their head.
Solution:
Rotation away from too many hours of overhead installation (for example, rotate to wall or floor tile) would reduce the hands above the head time below hazardous levels
Hazardous Activity:
Workers doing extensive installation of small tiles (for example, 4") can be exposed to highly repetitive motion of the tile applying hand:
(> 6 hrs per day with bent wrist only) (no high hand force)
(> 2 hrs per day with bent wrist and high hand force (> 10 lbs per hand) )
Solution:
Rotation away from application of many small tiles would reduce the highly repetitive motion below hazard levels.
Optional Good Idea:
- Apply tiles with the other hand part of the time
Installing Pavers
Hazardous Activities:
Workers doing extensive amounts of paver installation can be exposed to too many hours of kneeling, highly repetitive motion, and lifting:
(Kneeling: > 4 hrs per day)
Highly Repetitive Motion:
(> 6 hrs per day with bent wrist only) (no high hand force)
(> 2 hrs per day with bent wrist and high hand force (> 10 lbs per hand) )
Solution:
Rotating between kneeling, squatting, and sitting, where possible; rotation to non-installation tasks (for example, finishing tasks); and using mechanical lifters/positioners, where possible, to reduce the hazard of lifting 13-23 lb from ground level; would reduce the hazards below the hazard levels.
Optional Good Ideas:
- Stand up as a break from kneeling - whenever possible
- Use high quality kneepads (Note: Kneepads are not considered PPE for ergonomics. Kneepads distribute force on the knee's surface, but don't reduce the internal force on the knee joint.)