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What are some tips for a good working posture while welding?
What is an example of a standing workbench design?
What is an example of a seated workbench design?
What should I know before lifting cylinders manually?
What should I know when moving cylinders?
What should I know about lighting and colour?
What are some tips for a good working posture while welding? - Learn to recognize symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs; also called repetitive strain injuries or RSIs). Repeated uncomfortable postures and tasks can cause injury.
- Avoid awkward body positions which cause fatigue, reduce concentration and lead to poor welds which may need to be repeated.
- Always use your hand to lower your helmet. Do not use a "jerking" motion of your neck and head.
- Position yourself in a stable, comfortable posture.
- Position the welding item as flat as possible, on a horizontal surface, between waist and elbow height.
- Position scaffolding at a comfortable height to allow working in a seated position.
- Avoid working in one position for long periods of time.
- Work with material slightly below elbow level when working in a sitting position.
- Work with material between waist and elbow heights for comfort and precision when working in a standing position.
- Use a foot rest if standing for long periods.
- Always store materials and tools within normal reach.
- Use positioning aids to accommodate work posture.
What is an example of a standing workbench design?  What is an example of a seated workbench design?  
Source: Golavatjuk et.al. creation of optimum labour conditions for electric welders with regard to ergonomic requirements. IIW Calloquium on Welding and Health, Lisboa (1980) What should I know before lifting cylinders manually? - Find out the weight of an object before attempting to lift it. Do a few warm up stretches before lifting.
- Use a lifting aid if the object is heavy.
- Get help with heavy or awkward loads if a lifting aid is not available.
- Protect hands and feet in case the load falls.
- Use a trolley or a mechanical lift to lift or move compressed gas cylinders.
- Place forward foot around the cylinder if it must be lifted manually.
- Lower the cylinder across thigh by pressing down with rear hand while holding cylinder underneath and slightly beyond center point.
- Raise end to desired height.
- Push cylinder forward by rear hand.
 What should I know when moving cylinders? - Make sure the cylinder cap is secured.
- Tilt the cylinder slightly on its edge and roll it slowly in the direction desired. Move short distances only.
- Use a cylinder trolley for longer distances.
- Place one hand on top of the cap and the other hand on the shoulder of the cylinder.
- Always chain the cylinder to the trolley.
What should I know about lighting and colour? Lighting - Ensure general lighting is adequate to allow safe access and handling of equipment.
- Use additional task lighting for precision work.
- Avoid excessive glare from light sources or reflections.
- Prevent excessive contrast between the workpiece and background.
Colour - Select matt finishes for welding area to avoid reflection of welding arc light, and to obtain a satisfactory level of lighting.
- Choose any colour except blue or turquoise; they reflect UV light.
- Reduce distraction by making piping, ducting or structural supports the same colour as the background, unless piping requires a second colour coding.
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Document last updated on March 20, 2001
Copyright ©1997-2008 Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety
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