Solution Summary: Powered Rebar Bender Workstation
A powered rebar bender workstation is an equipment that reduces stressful hand and wrist activity and stooped postures when bending rebar.
Description:
A powered rebar bender is an engineering control that can help reduce stressful hand and wrist activity and stooped postures. It is a portable workstation that can bend rebar on the jobsite.
A powered rebar bender workstation, such as the MB-25A by Multiquip (figure 1), is operated by either a push-button enabling it to start and stop the bend process or a foot pedal control switch. It contains an angle select dial that is capable of bending any angle from 0 to 180 degrees with a maximum bending speed of 5 seconds (for 180 degrees). The MB-25A includes 5 rollers and 6 collars attachments to accurately bend rebar up to 1 inch in diameter. The area where rebar is placed (top of the machine) contains an enclosed clean-out slot to prevent rebar shavings from falling into the housing, while the rest of the MB-25A is sealed for waterproofing and to prevent internal contamination. The operating weight is 227 pounds and the dimension is 21 inches in length by 19.5 inches in width by 17 inches in height.
Figure 1. A rebar bender by Multiquip (Photo courtesy of Multiquip Inc.)
Risks Addressed:
Stressful hand and wrist activity can cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as muscle strains; tendonitis, which is inflammation of elbow and wrist tendons; or carpal tunnel syndrome, which is compression of a wrist nerve, resulting in finger numbness and loss of hand strength. A powered rebar bender can help reduce stressful hand and wrist activity by allowing the worker to quickly and easily bend rebar at a workstation.
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. A rebar bender can help reduce stooped postures by allowing the operator to quickly and easily bend rebar at a workstation.
How Risks are Reduced:
A powered rebar bender workstation reduces stressful hand and wrist activity and stooped postures because it is a powered equipment that bends rebar with less stress on the worker compared to the traditional method (leveraging with a hollow pipe while holding down the rebar with a foot).
Additional Considerations:
Pinch point hazards from using this equipment must be considered. It is recommended users follow all manufacturer guidelines before using this equipment to ensure worker safety and compliance with applicable local, state or federal regulations.
While most of the rebar delivered is pre-bent, there are times occasionally that the crew needs to rebend or modify the bar. In particular, this equipment can be ideal for short bars which can be difficult to bend.
Hazards Addressed:
- Reinforced Concrete
- Cut or bend rebar
Availability
Multiquip Inc.
To obtain information, visit MB25A
or contact 1-800-426-1244 mq@multiquip.com
