Water-fed pole systems were introduced to remove the need for working – and thus eliminate the risk of falling – at height. WFP use is not, however, without its own unique, and sometimes significant, hazards. Two of which are physical fatigue and muscular ruptures. The Manual Handling Operations Regulations ’92/02 outline general requirements for safe handling, but safe practice also suggests very specific actions for operating an extended vertical pole.
5 Tips To Reduce Muscle Rupture & Manual Fatigue:
Do the Dance: Use your legs for motion, not just your arms. The technique requires single-stride “step-in” and “step- out” from the building as you clean: the in-and-out motion raises and lowers the pole. Avoid twisting your torso & keep your elbows in. This takes some getting used to, and is “space dependant”, but once mastered, it significantly reduces the strain on your arms, shoulders, back and neck.
Change Hands: Switching your lead-hand can make a considerable difference to the strain on your back, arms and shoulders. This adjusts your posture & transfers the load. Make sure to use an underhand grip: this reduces shoulder pressure.
Break The Task: Breaking up the task, where practicable, will also give your back & arms a rest. Avoid doing “all” the pole work in one uninterrupted go: do a row, move some kit – adjust hoses/barriers or such – or do some ground glazing, then finish the pole-work.
Share the Load: Unless you work alone, try to avoid assigning all the pole work to one individual—while you “nip off and do the insides!” Sharing the work will half the risk of strain. It also assists in the “break” factor, as switching up the methods will allow your body to recover a little between tasks.
Take a Break: regular breaks are essential for any physically demanding operation—using WFPs are no exception. Plan your work so that you can take adequate breaks between tasks and each elevation, if necessary, for any job.
THE RAM SPEAKS
“The RAMs should highlight these reminders & specify that any user is appropriately trained to se WFPs correctly. Not all recommendations can be used on all sites, though, so these methods should be tailored to the task, team, site and space available.”
CHECK TO:
Use your legs to move in & out
Change hands
Share the load
Break the Task
Take Breaks
For a reminder on the Manual Handling requirements, see my post on MHOR – 4 Rules 4 Manual Handling covering the 4 LITE Rules: check the Load, the Individual’s capabilities; the Task requirements; the Environment. The above additions fit in to the 5th cautionary recommendation: “O” – Other factors such as specialised movement.
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