El Paso Functional Medicine
I hope you have enjoyed our blog posts on various health, nutritional and injury related topics. Please don't hesitate in calling us or myself if you have questions when the need to seek care arises. Call the office or myself. Office 915-850-0900 - Cell 915-540-8444 Great Regards. Dr. J

Hand and Power Tool Usage and Injury Prevention El Paso

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There are all kinds of tools for all kinds of jobs. However, using the correct tool can mean the difference between a job well done and a job that got done but also generated injuries and pain.

Examples:

  • Long tools are best for when you need leverage, sparing the need for massive physical force.
  • Vice grips and clamps can grip/stabilize objects rather than trying to hold objects with your hands.
  • Tilt objects to avoid overbending the wrists.
  • Use a cart/dolly/arm straps to carry heavy loads.

Take some time to think about how to make the job easier on yourself and look up youtube tutorials to find innovative ways to do these jobs making it less stressful both mentally and physically.

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 126 Hand and Power Tool Usage and Injury Prevention El Paso

 

The National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health guidelines hand tool use

 

  1. Keep the wrists straight &  Avoid bending/rotating the wrists.
    Instead bend the tool, not the wrist and there are a variety of bent-handle tools just for this reason. Using the handshake wrist position is a good way to approach a job, as it is a neutral position for the wrist.
  2. Don’t stand still in one place for an extended time when using a heavy tool.
    Instead, reduce the size and weight of the tool which will help avoid strain, keeping the elbows low and slightly bent.
  3. Tools that place pressure on the base of the palm stress the soft tissues of the hands and fingers interrupting circulation and nerve function.
    Instead, opt for one with finger grooves that fit the hand. Short-handles help by reducing stress on the soft tissues.
  4. Don’t use tools that need a lot of grip force to use or hold.
    Instead, use one with a grip that compresses like memory foam and shapes to the hand. This is far better than hard plastic.
  5. Don’t use tools that need the fingers to grip.
    Instead, use tools that utilize a full-hand power grip.
  6. Do not use tools that have sharp-edged handles or areas where the hands could get pinched.
    Instead, use tools that keep the hands/fingers safe.
  7. Trigger-finger operational tools should be avoided as this can easily cause repetitive finger/hand/wrist injury from the constant on-off motion.
    Instead, use tools with large switches that can be operated using all four fingers.
  8. Excessive temperatures affect manual dexterity, therefore keep hands free from extreme heat and cold.
    If possible, do a different job that’s away from the extreme weather and if not wear properly insulated work gloves.
  9. Keep excessive vibration to a minimum. Excessive vibration can affect circulation.
    Use tools with control features that limit vibration to the extremities and whole body.
  10. Wear gloves that fit. If they are too tight they will place extreme pressure on the hands. Loose-fitting gloves reduce grip strength and the ability to grip properly.
    Instead have a selection that is designed for different jobs.

 

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 126 Hand and Power Tool Usage and Injury Prevention El Paso

 

Safely Operating Tools that Cause Whole-Body Vibration  

There are power tools that vibrate no matter what and transmit vibration into the operator’s arms and hands, legs, and feet. Using a tool like this can cause a condition called white finger or Raynaud’s Phenomenon to present.

The symptoms include:

  • Aching in the wrists and muscles of the forearm
  • Tingling sensations
  • Numbness
  • Whiteness in the fingers from restricted circulation

This type of vibration from riveting tools, grinders, pneumatic hammers, drills, and chain saws will affect the whole body’s well being.

 

Suggestions to help reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders

  • Choose power tools with anti-vibration controls and handles coated with suppressant/cushioned material to help with vibration.
  • Maintenance power tools by making sure they are balanced, clean, and lubricated.
  • Use gloves designed to absorb or reduce vibration.
  • Ask for help if the job requires equipment or tools that vibrate.

Whether using a hand or power tool to get a job done, the whole body is involved. Executing proper posture and body mechanics, along with proper tool choice and how it is used is vital to injury prevention.

 


 

Recommended Chiropractor El Paso, TX

 

 

Chiropractic care can help keep bodies flexible and help with range of motion. It is a very effective, non-invasive treatment for pain and can help with joint and muscular problems as well. Regular chiropractic treatments can help you better manage your body’s response to your work environment. It can also undo many of the ill effects that that type of work can cause.


 

NCBI Resources

Standing for extended or frequent periods of time without any breaks (such as walking or stretching) can cause the joints in the feet, knees, hips, and spine to become locked or immobilized temporarily. If the behavior continues, it can cause degenerative damage, leading to rheumatic diseases because the ligaments and tendons become damaged.

 

Post Disclaimer

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "Hand and Power Tool Usage and Injury Prevention El Paso" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

We are here to help you and your family.

Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
License Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Presently Matriculated: ICHS: MSN* FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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