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Prefabrication: Bending
Conduit
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Prefabrication
allows conduit to be bent and shaped off-site using larger
benders capable of handling bigger gauges.
However, employees are still exposed to ergonomics-related
risk factors when bending
conduits in a prefabrication shop.
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Transport and Loading |
Potential Hazards:
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Figure
1
Mobile conduit rack.
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Figure 2 Moving
stock with mechanical
assistance.
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- Large-gauge conduit may be heavy. Lifting,
moving, arranging, handling and carrying these
sections can be very physically demanding,
increasing the risk of overexertion of the back
and shoulders.
- When large conduit is bent, it is harder to
handle than straight, uniform lengths of
conduit. This results in awkward postures
such as overhead reaching and bending at the
waist to move and position large, unwieldy sections.
Possible Solutions:
- Store conduit in containers or on racks (Figure
1) when delivered instead of placing it
on the floor.
- Use overhead cranes, forklifts, or other mechanical
assists to move stock and finished pieces (Figure 2).
- Use containers with handles, carts
(approximately waist height), or attachable
handles to facilitate moving larger sections
of conduit.
- Maintain all rollers, wheels, and guides on
carts to minimize rolling resistance. Wheels
should be at least 6 inches
in diameter
- the larger the wheel the less force
is required to move carts.
- Keep work areas clear of obstructions to minimize
interferences when lifting and maneuvering large
conduit. This includes both overhead and ground-level
obstructions.
- If necessary to manually move material, get help to handle large
sections after conduit is bent.
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