BEST PRACTICES FOR GLOVEBOX ERGONOMICS Scott Hinds, PE Cindy Lawton, PT, OCS Cameron Van Cleave (505) (505) UNCLASSIFIED LA-UR

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Practices to keep our glovebox workers comfortable and safe while working UNCLASSIFIED

OUTLINE Background Glovebox Design Worker Best Practices and Exercises UNCLASSIFIED

WHY ERGONOMICS? Proper work environment  Lower stress  Less fatigue  Improved productivity  Decrease risk of Injury Decrease risk of a BREACH UNCLASSIFIED

GLOVEBOX INJURY DATA 54 people Jan-June 2011 July-Dec 2011 Jan-June 2012 First Aide Recordable ShoulderElbowWristHand/fingersThumbSpine/other / June 2012 Repetitive88%58% Single Occurence12%42% Survey Project for GB workers - Oct 2010 through March 2011 UNCLASSIFIED

PERCENTAGE OF WORKERS REPORTING SYMPTOMS VS. YEARS AS A GLOVEBOX WORKER UNCLASSIFIED

AVERAGE YEARS AS A GLOVEBOXWORKER VS. NUMBER OF SYMPTOMS PER PERSON UNCLASSIFIED

KEY ERGONOMIC GLOVEBOX DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS Depth of glovebox and Width of glovebox Gloveport height Windows Transfer devices, airlocks, and doors Use of computer simulation UNCLASSIFIED

-Engineering Controls - Design and make engineering changes to improve the situation -Administrative controls such as task rotation, decreasing duration, training, and exercises can help to buy time until you can do the appropriate engineering change but are NOT the solution UNCLASSIFIED

DEPTH AND WIDTH OF GLOVEBOX Tasks should determine size UNCLASSIFIED

GLOVEPORT HEIGHT, SHAPE, AND ORIENTATION The ideal height is at operator’s elbows, but that limits reaching distance. Ovular ports allow for a greater range of motion. Depending on the task, gloveports can be horizontal, vertical, or angled. UNCLASSIFIED

REACH DISTANCE UNCLASSIFIED Correct Incorrect Using tools helps keep your body in a more neutral position.

EXTENSION HANDLES Extension poles for cleaning windows and paint brushes helps with reach. An angled paint brush helps reaching in corners UNCLASSIFIED

SHOULDER BEST PRACTICES Using a platform Improves alignment of the spine Shoulder angle must be below 70 degrees UNCLASSIFIED

SHOULDER BEST PRACTICES CONT’D Recommended Platform Height (in)Height (in)Shoulder Height (in) Platform Height Recommendations (52 in centerline) UNCLASSIFIED

PLATFORMS Platforms help decrease stress on the neck and shoulders. Important that size fits just between two ports, easily portable (wheels) Shoulder below 70 degrees UNCLASSIFIED

SHOULDER STRESS Crease Wear Breach Poor Ergonomics Injury Risk UNCLASSIFIED

SOLUTION Retractable shelf for airlock UNCLASSIFIED

WINDOWS When the visual field is impaired, so is productivity and dexterity. Full view windows are ideal UNCLASSIFIED Shielding on windows decreases clarity.

COMPUTER SIMULATION Use early on in the design process Identifies ergonomic stressors Reassess/validate changes UNCLASSIFIED

COMPUTER SIMULATION CONT’D Graded approach to ergonomic stressors (red, orange, yellow, green) UNCLASSIFIED

COMPUTER SIMULATION UNCLASSIFIED Identifies clearly the viewing by the operator

WORKER BEST PRACTICES Shoulder Elbow Lower back and neck UNCLASSIFIED

SHOULDER BEST PRACTICES Pull fingers free Extract with elbow angled down -improves muscle imbalances UNCLASSIFIED Removing arms from glovebox gloves

SHOULDER BEST PRACTICES CONT’D Ideally - Use reach assist tools Place hand to inner surface of front panel to reduce stress on reaching shoulder and improve reach distance UNCLASSIFIED

ELBOW BEST PRACTICES CONT’D Proper grasping techniques Do not reach over the top and grab/move items – a lot of stress on elbow Improper techniqueProper techniques UNCLASSIFIED

ELBOW BEST PRACTICES CONT’D Power Grip vs. Pinch Grip Avoid pinch grip/ use a more open hand power grip Design tooling to reduce pinching Use foot controls vs. hand controls. Improper technique Proper technique UNCLASSIFIED

ALLEN WRENCHES Enlarged handles… make wrenches easier to grab and hold. help avoid Pinch grip. UNCLASSIFIED

REVERSE LOCKING TWEEZERS The fatigue from holding tweezers closed is eliminated. The length reduces the need to reach. UNCLASSIFIED

LOWER BACK AND NECK BEST PRACTICES Anti-fatigue mats Help reduce lower back and leg fatigue UNCLASSIFIED

LOWER BACK Move items closer prior to lifting Reduce lifting by improved housekeeping Items that weigh over 15 lbs in a glovebox need an assistive device to move UNCLASSIFIED

EXERCISES Traffic cop: Helps with upper back stress and shoulders UNCLASSIFIED

SHOULDER EXERCISES Strengthening exercises Rotator cuff Internal Rotation External Rotation Rhomboids UNCLASSIFIED

ELBOW EXERCISES Stretching exercises Should be done throughout the day 10 – 15 second holds Stretching forearm flexorsStretching forearm extensors UNCLASSIFIED

Summary Improve Designs Use appropriate tooling. Improve techniques. Strengthen Rotator Cuff and stretch forearms UNCLASSIFIED

Thank you. Questions UNCLASSIFIED