Design of dry chemical fire extinguisher inspection equipment in order to reduce ergonomic risks for fire extinguisher inspectors
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Abstract
ABSTRACT: It is important that a dry chemical fire extinguisher must be inspected for its readiness. For each inspection, the inspector needs to turn the fire extinguisher tank upside down to let the chemical inside the tank move and prevent solidification which would make the tank not ready for usage when needed. Each tank weighs approximately 12.9 kg. The inspector has to turn each tank upside down twice (2 minutes/round). He needs to turn it over the shoulder close to his ear in order to hear the chemical flow inside, or use his hands to feel the moving from the outer surface of the tank. The survey and questionnaire “The Questionnaire Know Body” which includes neck (left and right sides), both shoulders, upper and lower right arms suggest that all 12 security staff suffer from the same fatigue. The current dry chemical fire extinguisher inspection affects various ergonomic health problems. Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) is used for evaluation of postural risks so that the working postures may be redesigned or corrected. The dry chemical fire extinguisher inspection equipment has been developed to reduce ergonomic health risks for the inspectors. A REBA analysis has been performed again, and the risk score has decreased from 13 to 3. In addition, feedback from the first trial of the developed equipment shows that there are demands to increase installation of this new equipment. The installation requires three main parts. The wall attachment secures the tank tightly with the wall, supporting the entire weight of the tank without manual lifting needed. This reduces exertion on the wrists and arms while checking the tank. This wall attachment is suitable for both hands. The tank support standee is used for convenient tank rotation with very small pushing force. The locking bar locks the tank in place while turning it over.
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References
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เพลินศักดิ์ อุบลหล้า, เพ็ญสุดา พันฤทธิ์ดํา การประเมินความเสี่ยงทางการยศาสตรงานยกคว่ำเครื่องดับเพลิงแบบยกหิ้วชนิดผงเคมีแหง เพื่อตรวจเช็คคุณภาพผงเคมีภายในถัง. การประชุมทางวิชาการ ครั้งที่ 59 เล่มที่ 2 มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์ 2564 หน้า 224-231.