Published : February 11, 2021

How to avoid injuries related to the body positions to be adopted when repairing a vehicle.

Working as a bodyshop technician means, among other things, performing unique tasks that lead, most of the time, to adopting postures that are restrictive for the body. It also means having to carry heavy loads and perform repetitive movements on a daily basis.

Data published by CNESST demonstrates that a very large proportion of workers in the automotive service industry suffer from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as shoulder tendonitis, elbow epicondylitis and other wrist problems.

Fortunately, there are solutions that can reduce these types of disorders and even eliminate them altogether. For example, there are different equipment to accompany the bodyshop worker at each step of a car repair to minimize the impact on the body.

Working on the roof

When performing roof repairs, having to (1) provide a sustained and prolonged effort by holding a tool (2) far enough away from the body (3) with a very large shoulder bending angle, can overload the muscle structures.

A simple and effective solution is to use a platform or step to raise the worker to the height of the roof. This reduces the angle of flexion of the shoulder and brings the tool closer to the body, resulting in a significant reduction in muscular stress and the force to be deployed. For example, we recommend the Pro Step STK-20350 Adjustable Bench which has foam bumpers to protect the vehicle's finish and retractable spring loaded wheels.

«For a given task, bringing the arm closer and reducing shoulder flexion reduces muscle demand and therefore the risk of musculoskeletal injure.»(Marchand, D., Brien-Breton, A., 2013)

Working on doors and underbody

When working on the sides of a car, a large amount of force is required when (1) we have a bent back (2) the arm is supported parallel to the ground (3) with the load of an implement in our hand. In this position, gravity seeks to make the tool fall and the worker must therefore force upwards to fight against it, in addition to exerting the pressure necessary for the task. This significantly increases the static load.

One of the solutions would be to tilt the surface to be treated using universal lifting equipment, such as the UP&DOWN3000 car elevator. This tool is very light and easily transportable, while being incredibly powerful.

In some cases, it is also advisable to use a support. For example, by sitting on a wheeled workbench such as the CA-91408, the technician would keep his back straight and rest his arm on his leg, which reduces the stress on the shoulder while increasing its stability.

Working on the hood and other panels

Moreover, while painting, the inclined position allows to avoid working with the paint cup leaning forward; the center of mass of the tool therefore remains close to the wrist, which minimizes the stress in this joint. This solution also allows a better view of the task.

All in all, musculoskeletal disorders and physical pain are very common among bodyshop technicians. Workshops must equip themselves with the appropriate support equipment and offer training on the proper postures to adopt to ensure that workers' physical health is preserved.

Sources
Denis Marchand et Alexis Bien-Breton (2013). L’ergonomie, comment éviter et diminuer les TMS aux membres supérieurs - L’esthétique automobile [Fichier PDF]

Denis Marchand et Alexis Bien-Breton (2013). L’ergonomie, comment éviter et diminuer les TMS aux membres supérieurs - La carrosserie [Fichier PDF]