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Careful Staging = Fewer Injuries

Jun 1, 2006 12:00 PM

Proper staging and housekeeping practices play an important role in decreasing the number of work-related injuries for electrical contractors, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Ergonomics eTool: Solutions for Electrical Contractors, available at www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/electricalcontractors/materials/staging.html.

This Web page demonstrates following certain staging guidelines can increase productivity, quality of work, and profits because workers spend less time moving materials and more time performing skilled tasks. Poor staging, on the other hand, can result in workers lifting materials from awkward positions or carrying materials longer than necessary.

OSHA offers the following tips to prevent injuries related to poor staging and housekeeping:

Shelving placement. Place materials on stands or racks at a medium level between the average person's mid thigh to their mid chest to avoid the need to bend or reach for materials.

Proximity. The closer materials are to the point of use, the shorter the distance workers will have to walk, and the less likely they are to suffer an injury.

Pre-plan. During the bidding phase, plan where and how you will store conduit and spools of wire for easy access and easy lifting throughout the job.

Daily effort. Perform housekeeping tasks daily or more often, if necessary, creating a workspace that is easy to maintain.

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