the repairman, mechanic, or technician has to strain, stoop, or stretch habitually in doing his work, the
chances are that some device is needed to aid him in positioning or holding the equipment while he works
on it. Having to work awkwardly or uncomfortably reduces effectiveness and efficiency of the
repairman, and may even cause him to suffer medical problems, such as strains, backaches, sprains and so
forth. So, remember to position the equipment so you can work on it in reasonable comfort. If you don't
have enough hands for a particular repair operation you're doing, maybe a clamp or two can help to hold
the workpiece, a tool, or a part in the desired position. If you have to lift an item that's heavy, don't
hesitate to ask for and get help. Before you begin a task, make sure you have the workpiece set up
properly for the sake of your comfort, convenience, and safety. Consider the height of your workpiece
and your chair; do they make for comfort? You should seldom have to hold a workpiece in your hands
while working on it; both hands should usually be free for manipulating tools and parts in relation to the
workpiece or equipment.
e. Environmental Factors of Lighting, Heating, and Ventilation.
(1) Lighting. If you can't see well enough because of poor lighting, you probably won't be able to
find the trouble in the equipment you're working on. Or if you do happen to find the trouble, the
necessary repairs may require more light to see what you're doing. Lighting for the Army's
maintenance shops usually will be comparable to what is more or less standard in industry. Too
much light and glare can be as detrimental as not enough light. You should contact your
immediate supervisor if you are not satisfied with lighting conditions at your work site.
(2) Heat. In a maintenance shop, the temperature should be high enough for working without gloves
and outer garments that hamper freedom of bodily movements. However, too much heat can be
oppressive and cause drowsiness. Individuals seldom agree as to what one ideal temperature
should be. Relative humidity affects individual opinion also as to what the ideal temperature
should be. Under adverse conditions in the field, just having fingers warm enough in order to
work may very well constitute "adequate" heat. A temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit is about
ideal when relative humidity is around 60 to 70 percent. Direct sunlight should be kept from
equipment being repaired, and also from tools and test equipment, because the sunlight in
summer can make all these items too hot to touch.
(3) Ventilation. Closely associated with temperature and humidity as they affect human comfort is
the movement of air. For instance, even in high heat and high humidity, if the air is moving
enough, you may not experience too much discomfort. In a shop, it is also very important to have
adequate ventilation, allowing plenty of fresh air. Exhaust fans or other means should be capable
of removing harmful fumes created by paint spraying and the running of gasoline or diesel
engines in the shop area. Never run a gasoline engine inside a building without venting the
exhaust, because carbon monoxide from the engine can accumulate sufficiently to kill you. When
using cleaning fluids or solvents, always make sure you have plenty
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