New Ergo tool brings tasks down to size Published June 6, 2013 By Jenny Gordon Robins Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Decreasing neck, shoulder and back strain is a good thing - especially when you're a hazardous waste technician performing a routine task that increases the risk factor of injuring those body parts. The folks in the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex's Ergonomics Program have created a solution to assist 402nd Aircraft Maintenance Group personnel, prototyping in Bldgs. 54 and 125. About 150 large drums with liner bags which contain hazardous waste materials are placed throughout the complex. Normally when a worker disposes the liner bag - which can weigh from 35 to 100 pounds - it must be lifted straight up and over the drum. "These drums can get filled very fast, depending on the workload, and become heavy," said Eric Fowler, ergonomics technician. "One of the main principles of ergonomics is adjusting the work to fit the individual. Typically we found employees were adjusting themselves to match the work, so what we had to do was to adjust the work to their strength or 'power zone'." After an ergonomics assessment was complete, three locally-designed Power Zone Tilt Units were fabricated. These units angle the entire drum toward the worker which removes the need to lift a liner bag straight up over their head. Prior to the tilt unit, a person would need to literally lift a liner bag about 68 inches high to remove it. "We have now eliminated the awkward lifting position and ergonomic risks by bringing the drum to a neutral position for them to work and pull the liner bags out," he added. In Bldg. 54, where aircraft are painted, workers wear suits and other personal protective equipment which must be disposed of in the hazardous waste containers every time the workers leave the hangar. Those liner bags could be removed several times during a shift. "There were occasions when someone would lean the drum over so we could pull a bag out because it was so heavy," said Chaka Hodges, hazardous waste disposer. "The new unit is perfect." "This system is something anyone can use regardless of size and strength," said Fowler.