Catalin205/iStock/Thinkstock
Ecmweb 8524 Construction Worker Rubbing Shoulder
Ecmweb 8524 Construction Worker Rubbing Shoulder
Ecmweb 8524 Construction Worker Rubbing Shoulder
Ecmweb 8524 Construction Worker Rubbing Shoulder
Ecmweb 8524 Construction Worker Rubbing Shoulder

Being Careful with Raceway, Part 6

Oct. 25, 2016
How to avoid shoulder and upper back fatigue when running raceway overhead.

Safely running raceway overhead has many challenges. Fatigue of the shoulders and upper back from lifting and holding it overhead is a common problem.

Strategic rest breaks help prevent excessive buildup of lactic acid. But a better solution is to fabricate a set of raceway braces at the right height for that particular run. Rather than rig up something rickety, hire a carpenter to build a light-weight, stable, adjustable reusable one that can be bolted together onsite.

That brace won’t fix the problem of fatigued forearms, though. The solution for all that wrench turning and screwdriver twisting came along years ago with relatively light 120V drivers. But these gave rise to a new problem — that of safely stringing the portable cords needed to use them. These cords often were draped over machinery and across walkways. The solution was cord management: use cord towers for overhead runs and use cord protectors where transitioning walkways.

Today, industrial grade cordless drivers and drill sets have extra long-life batteries. And many sets come with a spare battery and charger. So the days of cord management are almost non-existent today.

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