Solution Summary: Backpack Concrete Vibrator
Ergonomic backpack concrete vibrator distributes the weight of the engine on the worker’s hips during concrete vibration.
Description:
The ergonomic backpack concrete vibrator is an engineering control that may help reduce lifting and carrying and hand-arm vibration. A backpack concrete vibrator consists of an engine, a backpack designed to transfer the weight of the engine into the worker’s hips, and a handheld vibration head.
Traditional concrete vibrators require the worker to carry the device engine in one hand, and the vibration head in the other. A backpack concrete vibrator allows workers to carry the heavy engine mounted onto a backpack that is designed to distribute the weight evenly through the hips. Several manufactures have created ergonomic backpack concrete vibrator models.
The Wyco ErgoPak® is a gear-driven, gas-powered concrete vibrator that can operate up to a 2 inch head. It features a built in tachometer that allows the worker to easily monitor and control the vibration speed so that the vibration can be adjusted based on the type of concrete (Figure 1).
Figure 1. ErgoPak® Ergonomic Backpack Concrete Vibrator.
Other manufacturers also carry backpack concrete vibrators, but many of these models are not ergonomically designed to keep the weight of the engine on the user’s hips.
Risks Addressed:
Heavy lifting and carrying 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 ergonomic backpack concrete vibrator can help reduce heavy lifting and carrying by allowing workers to handle the concrete vibrators on their back with the weight of the engine distributed onto their hips rather than by lifting and carrying the engine with their arms.
How Risks are Reduced:
An ergonomic backpack concrete vibrator minimizes heavy lifting and carrying and hand-arm vibration because it moves the weight of the engine from the operator’s hand and arm to their back and hips. In addition, some models are designed with the engines on anti-vibration mounts, further protecting workers from whole-body vibration.
Wyco Tools states that ErgoPak®, “discourage[s] injury-prone postures.”
Safety and health experts believe the ergonomic backpack concrete vibrator will help to reduce MSDs caused by heavy lifting and carrying because they are designed to distribute the weight of the engine across the hips, reducing stress on the low back that can often occur with lifting and carrying (Da Costa & Vieira 2009; Hoogendoorn et al, 2009; Viikari-Juntura, 1999; Latza 2000; Marras, 2000). Additionally, safety and health experts believe that backpack vibrators will help to reduce MSDs caused by hand arm vibration because they have variable speed control to reduce vibration. move the weight and vibration of the engine from the hand, requiring workers to only hold onto the lightweight vibration head (Da Costa & Vieira, 2009; Griffin et al. 2006)
Effects on Productivity:
An ergonomic backpack concrete vibrator may increase productivity by reducing worker fatigue during concrete vibration.
Additional Considerations:
Although backpack concrete vibrators reduce hand-arm vibration caused by holding the motor in hand, the vibration head may subject workers to hand arm vibration as well. Additionally, moving the motor onto the back may subject workers to whole-body vibration. Workers should reference standards for hand-arm vibration and whole-body vibration exposure when using any equipment that may transfer vibrations from the tool onto the worker.
Working with any gas-powered engine comes with fire hazards and other risks. Be sure to reference the operator’s manual for safety instructions before using any concrete vibrator.
Contributors:
Dan Anton, PT, PhD, ATC; Elizabeth Seidl SPT; and Jesse Brouwer, SPT – Eastern Washington University
Availability
Packer Brothers Backpack PBBP
To obtain information, visit Backpack PBBP
or contact 1-612-414-8081
Wyco Tools ErgoPak
To obtain information, visit ErgoPak
or contact 1-800-233-9926 wycosales@wycotool.com
