A poorly designed and functioning assembly worksite leads to potential employee injuries and additional expenses can incur. With large volume manufacturing facilities, power tools are often used for tightening down fasteners. Assembly power tools increase productivity and reduce manufacturing costs. Tools that operate at high speeds increase risk factors. Power tools generally produce unwanted torque reaction that transfers over to an assembler’s hand. Overtime, the daily assembly process will expose operators to repetitive stress injuries.
Injuries caused by repetitive work and overusing the arm can occur in daily work activities. Workers’ compensation claims and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) violations are costly. Litigation expenses can quickly skyrocket. Understanding the relationship between the worker, a torque tool, the workstation and the fastening procedure provides the opportunity to implement ergonomic improvements to the manufacturing process. Remove barriers and create a safe work environment.
The benefits of implementing an ergonomic assembly program applies to all workers and removes risk factors. The objective is to reduce strain and stress on the assemblers’ bodies. When creating an ergonomic work area there are six key items to focus on.
Creating an Ergonomic Assembly Workstation
- Perform physical demands & ergonomic risk analysis
- Implement ergonomic design standards and policies
- Conduct ergonomic training
- Improve the workstation production flow
- Increase efficiency and boost productivity
- Install ergonomic torque arms
Torque Arms
The Mountz EZ-Glider torque arm is designed to improve production and quality control during the assembly process. The ergonomic design of the arm reduces RMI (repetitive motion injury) and CTS (carpal tunnel syndrome). The torque arms are built to absorb the reaction that’s generated when a power tool shuts-off at its preset torque setting. The effortless handling of the ergo arm provides comfortable tool operation and increased production.
The Mountz torque arm prevents side load and cross threading, by securely clasping the electric screwdriver or pneumatic screwdriver and keeping the tool in a proper alignment. The device helps remove the operator’s influence in the assembly process and strengthens quality control. Easy and safe to install, the torque reaction arms are ideal for automotive, aerospace, appliance and general industry assembly lines, where operator safety is mandatory.
Articulated Torque Arm
This arm style provides smooth flexible 360º range allowing quick rundown of multiple fasteners on an application. With the ability to bend like an elbow, the arm provides the agility to position the tool in a variety of positions for different applications. The economical arm can adapt for a variety of different tools (pistol grip, angle nutrunners, inline electric & pneumatic screwdrivers) by simply switching the tool clamp. The versatile torque arm includes an in-line driver clamp. But other tool clamp options are available and sold separately.
Using an ergonomic torque arm makes a safer world through accuracy and precision. An ergonomic mindset ensures safer assembly conditions. The goal must be to protect the operator from any potential injury and make them feel comfortable and secure in operating a torque tool.
Protect your employees and your bottom line. Reduce potential risk factors and improve your assembly process. To learn more about the Mountz ergonomic solutions, check out our torque arm selection.
