Overhead Work Ergonomics

Talking points

1. Working with arms raised above shoulder height causes rapid fatigue in the shoulders, neck, and upper back. Rotator cuff injuries and impingement syndrome are common results.
2. Limit continuous overhead work to 10-15 minutes before taking a break and lowering your arms. Rotate with a partner or switch to a ground-level task.
3. Use scaffolding, lifts, or elevated work platforms to raise your working height so the task is at chest or waist level rather than overhead. This is an engineering control that eliminates the hazard.
4. Extension tools — drill bit extensions, paint roller handles, pipe threading handles — reduce the need to work with arms fully extended overhead.
5. Stretch your shoulders, neck, and upper back before and during overhead work. Focus on shoulder rolls, chest openers, and neck stretches.

Ask the crew

Is anyone doing prolonged overhead work today — and can we adjust the work height or rotate the task?

Standards this talk is built on

• Section 5(a)(1)

A toolbox talk is a short safety briefing. It supports the training a standard requires; it does not replace it.

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