40
OCTOBER 2015 PRO INSTALLER
PRO PRODUCTS
www.proinstaller.co.uk
CARRY THE
WEIGHT
ON YOUR
SHOULDERS
Vanessa Molloy, brand manager, C.K.
Magma, tells Pro Installer about the new
Rucksack Plus and explains the health
and safety risks to overweight rucksacks.
For many tradesmen, purchasing new tools is a
significant investment, both
in time and money. While
the majority of tradesmen
understand the importance
of looking after their investment by regularly maintaining their tools, some fail to
recognise the health and
safety implications of transporting them incorrectly.
According to Everydayhealth.
com, chiropractors recommend
that individuals carry no more
than 10% of their own body
weight on a day-to-day basis, so
with the average tool bag weighing in excess of 14kg, tradesmen
are therefore at an increased
risk of causing damage to their
backs.
A heavy load that is unevenly or
improperly distributed can cause
postural imbalances, spinal misalignments, muscle strain, headaches, back, neck and arm pain
and even nerve damage. A heavy
bag carried on one shoulder causes the spine and muscles to compensate for the uneven weight,
placing stress on the spine and
nervous system, and may lead to
health issues and pain.
Rucksacks are the ideal way to
carry tools, as they are designed
to spread weight evenly over
both shoulders, allowing the
back and abdominal muscles to
bear the weight. However, recent
consumer research carried out
by C.K Magma revealed that only
20% of tradesmen currently use a
rucksack to transport their tools,
according to the C.K Magma consumer views survey 2015.
Musculoskeletal Disorders
(MSDs) are the most common
cause of occupational ill health in
Great Britain, currently affecting one million people a year
and costing society £5.7 billion,
according to the University of
Southampton. A strong spine is
crucial to a tradesman’s daily
work, so days lost to back pain
or skeletal disorders are an
economic hindrance as well as a
health issue. Most cannot afford
to miss a day’s work if it can be
avoided.
Contractors and site managers
should communicate the benefits
of carrying tools in a safe way to
employees considering the total
number of working days lost due
to MSDs in 2013/14 was 8.3 million says the HSE.
To lend a helping hand C.K tools
has launched the Technician’s
Rucksack Plus. A reinforced shoulder strap that delivers additional
strength and durability to easily
move tools on the job, while an
ergonomic contoured shape base
and back with extensive padding
provides additional comfort while
being carried.
We recommend that the straps
are positioned so that the bag sits
above the waist to reduce pressure
on the spine and nervous system.
As well as offering comfort
and practicality for tradesmen,
the Technician’s Rucksack Plus
reduces the risk of spinal damage
caused by uneven distribution
of weight and misalignment of
the spine, thus ensuring workers’
backs are protected and in full
working order, allowing them to
complete the job and earn that
all-important wage.
www.ck-magma.com
INSTALL IN STYLE
Not only
does Liniar produce
lead-free,
innovative
windows, doors
and conservatories, it
is delighted to launch
a brand new range of
high quality foam trims
and colour matched
installation products,
available exclusively
from Liniar fabricators.
Installers can be assured
of a perfectly matching
internal finish with Liniar’s
foam trims, produced in-
house from 100% lead-free
PVCu foam and foiled using
the same superior woodgrain and coloured foils as
the rest of the products in
the Liniar range.
Covered with the same
10-year guarantee as Liniar’s
windows, doors and roofs,
the trims, architraves and
angles are available in all
Liniar standard stock colours – offering consumers a
single point of warranty for
their installation.
In order to finish the job
in style, Liniar is also proud
to offer a range of silicone
sealants at cost effective
prices. Carefully chosen
to complement its foiled
colours, there are ten Liniar
Approved LNM silicones
in the range, together with
caulk and expanding foam.
Liniar Approved cleaners
including glass cleaner,
solvent cleaner and cream
cleaner, in addition to glues
and adhesives are also in
stock now.
Completing the current
range are window boards,
fixings, glazing packers,
touch up pens and installation tools – all geared
towards making it simple
for installers to pick up
everything they need from
their Liniar fabricator.
The new range is only
available to purchase
through Liniar fabricators.
Find your nearest now by
visiting www.liniar.co.uk/
find-a-fabricator.
You can discover more
about Liniar Approved
installation supplies and
see the full range by
visiting www.liniar.co.uk/
installation-supplies