Solution Summary: Cabinet Jack
A cabinet jack supports materials during installation on walls including cabinets, sink disposals, crown molding, and pipes.
Description:
A cabinet jack uses a single, spring-locked telescoping pole.
FastCap® makes a group of jacks called the 3rd Hand Family. The Little Hand consist of a pole that telescopes from 16.5 inches to 23.5 inches and has a load capacity up to 150 pounds.
Figure 1. FastCap® Little Hand supporting cabinets with optional magnetic laser mount (Photo courtesy of FastCap, LLC.)
T-JAK® makes a family of cabinet jacks featuring a steel shaft, threaded steel rod and a quick-tilt knob. The T-JAK® tool slides from 53 inches to 84 inches supporting objects weighing up to 400 pounds. By tilting the quick release knob, the threaded rod can be raised to the desired supporting height. The knob will automatically drop and lock into place, engaging the thread. Final precision adjustments can be made by turning the quick release knob. Available accessories include extensions in 1 to 3 foot lengths and drywall support brackets.
Figure 2. T-JAK® used to support a cabinet during installation. (Photo courtesy of T-JAK® Support Tools)
Risks Addressed:
Heavy lifting and stooped postures can cause low back disorders, such as muscle strain or a disc herniation (“slipped disc”), which is bulging of disc material possibly pressing on the spinal cord or nerves that go into the leg. The cabinet jack can help reduce stooped postures by supporting items instead of requiring the user to adopt a stooped posture while holding the same item.
Overhead work can cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as shoulder muscle strains; tendonitis, which is inflammation of the tendons; or rotator cuff tears, which is a rupture of a shoulder tendon. The cabinet jack can help reduce overhead holding by supporting cabinets or drywall during installation.
Prolonged kneeling can cause MSDs such as prepatellar bursitis (housemaid’s knee), which is swelling on the front of the kneecap, and osteoarthritis of the knee (degenerative joint disease). The cabinet jack can help reduce prolonged kneeling by reducing the amount of time spent kneeling installing low items.
How Risks are Reduced:
A cabinet jack reduces heavy lifting and stooped postures, overhead work, and prolonged kneeling and squatting because it supports the material being installed, allowing easier installation and increasing the installer’s ability to take breaks during installation.
Safety and health experts believe cabinet jacks will help reduce exposure to heavy lifting and stooped postures, overhead work, and prolonged kneeling and squatting since the material is held in mounting position by the jack.
Effects on Productivity:
A cabinet jack may increase productivity by allowing one person to complete a task instead of two and may reduce installation mistakes caused by items slipping during attachment.
Additional Considerations:
While cabinet jacks reduce several risks, improper use of the jacks could be harmful. It is critical to operate the jacks according to the manufacturers’ instructions.
Contributors:
Dan Anton, PT, PhD, ATC; Julianne Keenan, SPT; and Benjamin Tucker, SPT– Eastern Washington University
Hazards Addressed:
- Carpentry
- Install cabinets, countertops and moldings
Availability
T-JAK® Support Tools
To obtain information, visit TJ-104
or contact 1-800-662-3557 info@tjak.com
FastCap, LLC.
To obtain information, visit Little Hand
or contact 1-888-443-3748 info@fastcap.com
