Ironing workstations

A well-equipped workplace ensures fatigue-free work. There is less strain on the body and concentration is easier to maintain.

Safety

Cables

Electrical equipment should be installed by electricians only. To avoid the risk of stumbling, cables must not lie on the floor.

Tip
Inform your supervisor immediately if a cable is damaged.

How to treat burns

In case of burns from the iron or another hot surface, provide first aid:

  • cool immediately under running lukewarm water for 10 minutes
  • do not puncture blisters.

Tip
See the doctor, if the burn is larger than a 5 Taka coin.

Drinking is important

When it is hot, you sweat a lot. Heat is increased by the hot irons in the room. This can easily lead to extreme loss of water, combined with loss of salt (electrolytes).

Make sure you drink enough and regularly. Please refer to the section “drinking water”. Avoid cooled drinks.

Tip
If it is extremely hot, it is beneficial to drink, e.g. lukewarm vegetable stock to take in enough salt.

Six points for working better

Ironing workstations – negative example

An inadequately arranged workplace may result in adverse health issues.

# 1: Standing properly

Sufficiently free space for the feet is necessary to be able to stand properly. This is the only way to relieve stress on legs and the back.

At standing workplaces, hands should be approximately at elbow level or slightly lower. If more force is required, the worktops should be significantly lower.

  • Too low work height should be avoided because it can cause back pain.

Check
The height of the worktop should match the height of the person. Make sure that smaller workers can comfortably reach controls and materials.

# 2: Be creative with supporting equipment

Additional devices are meaningful to improve a favourable arm and shoulder posture.

  • These devices should be adjustable to the height of the person.

Thus the body is relieved and ensures easier and more precise work.

# 3: Appropriate design of the handle

Good grip allows the worker to use the iron with firmer control and less force.

With a matching handle, the iron can be precisely controlled and properly guided.

The handle should be big enough to allow the hand to touch it entirely. The material of the handle should have grip so that it lies firmly in the hand.

  • Different hand sizes require different handle sizes.

Tip
A plastic shield helps to reduce heat transfer from the iron to the hand.

# 4: Clear cables away

Suspend the iron (and cable) on a balancer above the tool’s centre of gravity to avoid disturbance while ironing. Typically, the balancer pulls upward with a little bit of force. When the iron is released, it goes up and out of the way.

  • Proper maintenance helps the cable not to obstruct the ironing work.

This also avoids damage to the cable.

Check
The fabric on the ironing board should always be heat resistant.

# 5: Relax when standing

Standing up for long periods of time causes pain in the feet. A soft floor mat with an irregular surface effectively provides strong relief from stress.

  • Relieve your legs.

To do this, change the supporting leg every now and then while working in standing posture.

Tip
Shoes with soft soles, like sandals, help.

# 6: Job rotation

In order to avoid harmful permanent strain, tasks should be changed regularly.

  • The more varying the tasks, the better.

Alternating working postures help to protect the different parts of your body. It brings variety for body and soul.

Tip
Walk or sit in between whenever possible.

Move your body

Having sensible arrangements at the ironing stations and moving the body regularly can prevent health problems and keep workers fit for work longer.

Tip
Please find exercises in the section “move your body”.

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