OSHA defines ergonomics as the science of fitting workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of the working population. The US Department of Labor has ergonomic guidelines that establish a “fair and transparent process for developing industry and task specific guidelines that will assist employers and employees in recognizing and controlling potential ergonomic hazards.”

Sometimes referred to as EPP (Ergonomic Productive Position) and EPS (Ergonomic Productive Systems), Aquatech considers factors related to the operator as well as factors that will make the most economic sense to the entity purchasing the equipment. Fortunately, most times, these factors have the same objectives—a safe, efficient product that provides the best working environment.

Why is any of this important when considering a new jetting/vacuum system? The answer is that an ergonomic design can be the difference in improved employee safety, satisfaction, job efficiency and ultimately productivity. In other words, choosing a combination jet/vac system with an ergonomic design built in can actually translate to your bottom line and a faster return on investment.

With municipal budgets tightened and constrained like never before, any advantage when purchasing capital equipment is magnified. Alternatively, opting for equipment that promises solutions and ultimately does not deliver can set your city back years, let alone hundreds of thousands of dollars.

At Aquatech, we recognize that many factors go into an ergonomic design. That is why we consider not only the posture of the operator but also other factors that can significantly affect operator productivity such as:

• controlling noise levels to lower than 90 dB by not having the operator working in close proximity to the diesel engine
• lessening exposure of extreme heat to the operator by positioning the hose reel at the REAR of the machine rather than the front

Other factors in the Aquatech design relate specifically to safety issues including:

• significantly improving the driver’s field of vision and eliminating blind spots by positioning the hose reel and boom hose at
  the REAR of the truck, thereby eliminating the area (up to 40%) blocked by a front reel and front mounted boom hose
• allowing the operator to stand upright rather than bent over when using the hose reel (thanks to a higher position
  placement of the reel)

These factors as well as others promote worker health and safety with the goal of minimizing downtime and needless injury. This can provide significant savings in worker’s comp, medical insurance costs and the forced retirement of a good employee put on disability due to a work injury that could have been avoided.

In short, Aquatech systems allow man and machine to work in harmony to achieve optimum efficiency and productivity.