Solution Summary: Standing Floor Edge Sander
Standing Floor Edge Sanders are sanding machines that sand the outer edge of wood or concrete floors when preparing floors for coating.
Description:
The Standing Floor Edge Sander is an engineering control that may help reduce injuries associated with working in a stooped or kneeled position. The Standing Wood and Concrete Floor edge sander allows workers to sand the outer edge of wood or concrete floors while in an upright position eliminating the need to kneel and stoop over a hand-held sander or grinder.
There are different models of standing sanders. The Klindex Extrema Edge Grinder is a machine with two grinding heads. The Klindex Extrema can be used to prepare both concrete and wood floors. The motor has a 2 horsepower output and is wired to operate at 120 or 220 volts. The Klindex Extrema can perform either dry or wet grinding (water attachment is not a standard feature) and has an attachment for vacuum dust removal system that can be purchased separately.
The Ecogrinder Caddy is used to sand concrete surfaces. It consists of a roll-able frame and attachment site for the Ecogrinder. The Caddy has an adjustable handle to accommodate different working heights and the grinding head can be adjusted to different depths. The grinding head is interchangeable with different grinding, sanding, or polishing heads. The swiveling wheels allow the Caddy to be moved parallel to the floor edge when grinding. The Caddy has an attached halogen light to illuminate the working surface. The Caddy also has a vacuum system attachment purchased separately. The Caddy is compatible with the 110 and 120 volt Ecogrinders by Alpha Tools. The Ecogrinder Caddy can be purchased with or without an Ecogrinder.
Risks Addressed:
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 standing floor edge sander reduces stooped postures by allowing workers to complete floor edge sanding tasks in a standing position.
Prolonged kneeling can cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as prepatellar bursitis (housemaid’s knee), which is swelling on the front of the kneecap. The standing floor edge sander reduces prolonged kneeling by allowing workers to complete floor edge sanding tasks in a standing position.
How Risks are Reduced:
During wood or concrete floor finishing, the surface of the floor must be sanded down to remove the previous finish and to level the surface. Traditionally, edges of the floor were sanded from a kneeling or stooped position by workers using hand held sanders or grinders. Working in a sustained stooped posture increases the risk of low back injuries. The Standing Floor Edge Sander eliminates the need for kneeling by allowing sanding or grinding to be done while standing.
There have not been independent published studies measuring the effect of standing floor edge sanders on reducing musculoskeletal injuries. However, independent published studies have associated forward flexed postures with an increased risk of low back injuries (Spielholz et al.). Independent published studies have also associated kneeling with an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knee (Schouten et al.).
Manufacturers state that the standing grinder allows workers to grind in an upright position “reducing fatigue, backaches, and jobsite injuries.” Manufacturers also state that working in an upright position eliminates back and knee pain.
Safety and health experts believe that stooped postures increase the risk of low back MSD’s (Bernard et al.). The Standing Floor Edge Sander may reduce the amount of time a worker spends in a stooped position. Safety and health experts believe that prolonged kneeling increases the risk of knee injuries. The Standing Floor Edge Sander may reduce the amount of time workers spend in kneeling postures.
Effects on Productivity:
Standing Floor Edge Sanders increase productivity by reducing worker fatigue associated with maintaining a stooped or kneeling posture.
Additional Considerations:
Grinding and sanding with the Standing Floor Edge Sander will produce dust, workers must take appropriate precautions to reduce exposure to dust. Please refer to other solutions under 'construction dust', 'wood dust' or 'silica' pertaining to sanding wood or concrete.
Availability
Ecogrinder Caddy
To obtain information, visit http://www.alpha-tools.com
or contact 1-800-648-7229
Klindex Extrema Edge Grinder
To obtain information, visit http://www.klindex.it
or contact 1-818-557-7776
Hum-B Floor Grinder and Polisher
To obtain information, visit https://www.pulsebac.com/index
or contact 1-866-954-9700
