5 Ways Using the Ergo Master Work Positioners for Welding Can Keep Your Workers Safe

Welding is an extremely important job, playing a major role in manufacturing, repair, and construction. Welding is also a relatively dangerous job. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 560,000 welders are injured per year. These injuries frequently come from the weld itself. While some injuries can be mitigated by safety equipment, like eye injuries, others are more challenging to prevent because they come from the weld itself.

Welding Safety Concerns

Many welds are done top-down on a flat surface. For these horizontal welds, you don’t have as many safety concerns. But what about vertical welds, which can sag out of place, leading to uneven wilds, drips, and a weaker finished product? Or overhead welding, where the molten metal can drip down onto the welder? Some specific welding rods simply can’t work in vertical or overhead positions, too, meaning that these jobs can be more frustrating for a welder.

And that’s just the risks of the weld itself. Welding is physically strenuous, and welders are constantly getting up and down. They may be required to position themselves awkwardly, and frequently report pain at the end of their shift. The job can be exhausting, too. In one study that asked welders about the pain they experience on the job, 67% reported pain during work, 78% reported neck discomfort as a result of long periods of positional discomfort during welding operations, and 48% of the workers reported fatigue on the job.

The bottom line is that while welders are important workers, the job can carry a great deal of risk for a welder’s long-term physical health. Of course, many welders know this when they choose their career– but there’s a difference between a job that is physically demanding and a job that is unsafe for its workforce. Welding doesn’t have to be so destructive to welders’ bodies, and welding employers should do all they can to prevent workplace injuries. When you design for good welding ergonomics, you can reduce many of the long-term and short-term bodily dangers of welding, and keep your workers safe.

One of the best ways to do this is with a parts positioner. A parts positioner is a mechanical device used by welders to hold and manipulate workpieces, ensuring proper positioning and alignment during the welding operation. Parts positioners can significantly contribute to welding efficiency and offer several benefits to workers, including improved safety.

Parts positioners can be made at a number of scales and sizes to accurately position and accommodate parts ranging from just a few ounces to several tons. The appropriate parts positioner greatly depends on your welding needs. For many welding jobs, a manually-operated parts positioner like the Ergo Master Work Positioner is a cost-effective safety measure that can make a welder’s job safer and easier. Here are 5 ways that manual parts positioners for welding can help keep welders safe on the job.

Using the Ergo Master Work Positioners for Welding:

1. Reduces Risk Exposure

One of the key benefits of a parts positioner is that it reduces the amount of time a welder spends in close proximity to the weld. This means less exposure to hazardous fumes, molten metal, intense heat, UV radiation, and sparks. The positioner will let a welder position their workpiece at a safe distance from the welding arc, or tilt it so that the fumes are directed away from their airstream. This reduces the risk of burns, eye injuries, lung problems, and other health hazards.

2. Better Positioning

A parts positioner reduces the chances of accidents caused by instability, which can cause serious risks to the welder. Welding frequently requires precise movements and stability during the process, and slips and sudden movements can compromise the safety of the weld and the welder. Parts positioners create a stable, controlled platform for the workpiece that reduces the likelihood of an accident.

Additionally, better positioning leads to better visibility. When the piece is positioned well, a welder can see the weld location and weld pool more accurately. This improved visibility improves their control of the welding process, meaning there are fewer chances for accidents, like accidental contact with the welding arc.

3. Reduced Manual Handling

The more manual handling of heavy workpieces a welder performs, the more likely they are to experience musculoskeletal injury, strain, and fatigue. All of these can cause serious safety issues when they occur on the job, as well as long-term health concerns. A parts positioner can hold, rotate, and tilt the piece for the welder. This creates a safer and more comfortable work environment.

4. Makes Safety Equipment Easier To Use

Welding requires bulky personal protective equipment (PPE) that can be somewhat challenging to use. A parts positioner can enhance the effectiveness and ease of use of PPE by providing better clearance and access to the weld site while wearing bulky PPE.

Parts positioners for welding can make it easier to use welding helmets, respiratory protection, safety glasses, and thick, unwieldy gloves. By making it easier to use the PPE, a parts positioner makes it easier for a welder to work safely and comfortably, even on long jobs.

5. Positioners For Welding Make It Easier To Access The Weld

A manual parts positioner can easily rotate and tilt the workpiece, providing better accessibility for welders. And don’t think that manual parts positioners need a ton of strength to use, an easy-to-use foot control lets welders reposition the part by working smarter, not harder.

Using a parts positioner means that welders don’t have to constantly fight to position themselves correctly, which can greatly reduce fatigue. By allowing the positioner to handle the weight and positioning tasks, workers can focus on performing precise welds with reduced physical strain, leading to increased comfort and productivity.

Ergo Master Manual Work Positioner Features

• Ergonomic solution
• Multi-axis work positioner/weld positioner
• 360º rotation, height, and tilt positioning
• Repetitive safe holding lock in any desired work position
• Adjustable friction during positioning transitions
• Supports workloads up to 300 pounds
• Ideal for any workspace, project, or application

Employee safety should be the highest priority for any business that employs welders. When you implement smart solutions for common safety issues, you can protect your employees from a number of risks. If you want to improve workplace safety and reduce the risk of injury and strain to your employees, you owe it to yourself to explore the various ergonomic solutions Ergotronix has to offer. Our offerings are fully customizable, so don’t hesitate to contact our team if you have any questions about which parts positioners and other solutions are right for your business.