Waterproofing and weeding jobs mean that you often need to adopt an inappropriate posture for your back, as you need to bend down to reach the ground. Your back naturally twists so that you can manage your waterproofing work properly. Whether you are working as a professional or as a private individual, if you spend time working on a waterproofing or weeding job, you create microtraumas which, if accumulated, will one day trigger disabling pathologies, in particular back pain, which is difficult to repair. To avoid these issues, Express has developed a practical and lightweight extension for your waterproofing device.
Musculoskeletal disorders related to waterproofing and weeding work
Musculoskeletal disorders are abbreviated as MSDs. These are undergoing in-depth research, as they are the leading cause of reported occupational diseases and account for 87 % of the causes of these diseases.
What are MSDs – musculoskeletal disorders
MSDs affect all musculoskeletal components: tendons, tendon sheaths, muscles, nerves, ligaments, joint capsules, synovial bursae, and vessels. The accumulation of small lesions over time eventually triggers disorders such as:
- muscle pain;
- tendonitis, i.e. the inflammation of one or more tendons or tendon sheaths;
- entrapment neuropathy which is the result of the compression of a nerve or nerve root in an anatomical duct.
MSDs of those doing waterproofing work
When the flame of your torch has to reach the ground for waterproofing or weeding work, a lance that is too short will force you to tilt over. On the other hand, to sweep the area you need to work on, you tend to twist your spine without realising it. This means that you are over-exaggerating the movement of the muscles in your vertebral column.
In this case, you risk causing MSDs that will spread throughout your entire back:
- lower back pain when the pain is localised in the lower back;
- neck pain, which is the pain in the neck area;
- rotator cuff syndrome in the shoulder.
If you compensate for the tilt and twisting of your back by bending your legs, you risk causing knee bursitis. Finally, an incorrectly sized tool also forces you to strain your arms with the risk of causing lateral epicondylitis in the elbow or carpal tunnel syndrome in the wrist.
When you weaken a part of your body, MSDs tend to become recurrent and difficult to heal; this is why it’s important to avoid them.
The extension of your waterproofing device to avoid backache
The extension is 42 cm long and is made of stainless steel, which guarantees its longevity. It is very light, less than 200 grams, so that your work tool is weighed down as little as possible.
Like all Express accessories, no tools are needed to assemble and disassemble your extension. It clips onto your torch in one easy step.
Adopt the right posture
Waterproofing and weed control are time consuming. MSDs occur because of actions that are repeated over time. That’s why you need to be well equipped.
Thanks to the extension on your waterproofing device, you can work without tilting over. If you keep your back straight, you avoid the risk of injury to your spine.
