Hi all

I'm looking for some advice regarding a paint spraying applications. We spray small plastic components using hand held spray guns fed by compressed air lines. The process is well controlled for paint exposure (extracted booths, forced air masks and regular medical checks) however I'm getting complaints regarding tingling in the fingers and elbow pain, including one alleged case of tendonitis. The parts are small enough that some are held by hand whilst others are placed on jigs on turntables.

I've used the HSE ART tool and identified the frequent arm and wrist movements required to spray all parts of the component as the main issue. I'm at a bit of a loss however to recommend how to reduce the need for these movements. Does anyone out there have any experience of this situation and have any operator tips or equipment recommendations? I'm going to create a toolbox talk with recommendations as to how to effectively set up the workstation to reduce wrist and arm movement, does anyone have anything like this already that they could mail me?

I have been involved with paint spraying, but not little stuff as you describe. However a thought, is it the actual movement or a combination of movement and weight of equipment. Ie I'm thinking the weight of the spay gun (full of paint)and the hose and the extra effort to bend the air lines. Could the spray gun be on a swinging jib arm with counter balance taking the weight, so the operative is only maneuvering it ?

Just a thought may not be possible or make a difference.

Robot ?

Chris