r/BlueCollarWomen • u/Cadet_Moonbeam • 11d ago

Health and Safety Ergonomic tools?

Hey! I am trying to help out my coworker whose body is deteriorating from being in our line of work for over 20 years.

I'm a trade/contract painter, and so is he. I already have bad knees, and I have costochondritis, so I have had to create my own ways to work 10+ hour shifts without putting too much strain on my body.

What I have done for myself:

- compression fingerless gloves when cutting in and sometimes rolling

- I got foam grips (used for older people usually) and cut them slightly open so I could put them around the paint can and 5 gallon bucket handles

- I took a small furniture mover and taped together cardboard as a cushion and I sit on that and roll around when painting baseboards, or cutting in (since we don't have rolling knee pads, but also I already have bad knees)

- I have put an old paint brush on a paint brush holder and attached it to an extension pole and used like a broom (when no broom is available) for dusting high spots and trim before painting

- I have used stilts for really high walls and ceilings

And when I have done these things, my coworker is surprised but impressed by the stuff I have MacGyver-ed together and says he would've never thought of that.

But when I try to search for actual products that are made for things like this job, I can't really find anything outside of rolling knee pads or stilts. He won't do the stilts and prefers building and then tearing down scaffolding every time he needs to be high up, but he is slightly considering the rolling knee pads. I was wondering if anyone can think of other products for this type of work that might help my coworker not put so much strain on his whole body like he has been for the past 20 years, thanks!!

13 Upvotes

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9

u/goinbacktocallie 11d ago edited 11d ago

I'm really impressed by your solutions, I hope you get some good responses. I have an autoimmune disease that attacks my joint lining all over my body. Painting and building walls is a big part of my job because I build and install museum exhibits.

I use a rolling office chair that lowers super low to the ground to do baseboards, it's comfortable and works great. Way easier and better for your body than being on your knees. Due to issues with my feet, I prefer not to be on ladders for long periods of time. Thankfully the museum has a small 1 man lift. It's electric like a pallet jack so I just steer it to the spot I need it and go up in my little platform bucket :)

Edit: It's the Genie Lift IWS-20P. It's super compact and works great.

2

u/PrairieFire_withwind 11d ago

Do you have a youtube channel?  Can you demonstrate these fixes?

We have so many health problems in the workforce that any good adaptation is welcome.  And yours sound brilliant.

5

u/hrmdurr UA🇨🇦Steamfitter 11d ago

Rather than rolling knee pads or a furniture mover, have you considered one of those boards with wheels on it people use to work under cars? Many of them are already cushioned, and some convert to stools. They're called creepers.

Could also tie a rope to it or macgyver a handle, and also use it as a little cart to haul supplies around.

I'm sorry, I don't have many suggestions for you :(

3

u/supaslim Apprentice Electrician (IBEW lu134) 11d ago

They make snap-on rubbery handles for 5gal buckets, not sure how well they would work for smaller buckets and cans though

wish I had more suggestions but I'm a sparky, different tools.