Ergonomic Interventions in the Building, Repair, and Dismantling of Ships

Easy Fixes: Plasma Cut Edges

Hazard: Steel Plate cut by handheld cutting torch is left with a rough uneven edge that must be ground to fit in place (see plate on right in photo 1). This need to grind the edge results in exposure to hand arm vibration and the possibility of getting foreign bodies in the eyes.

Solution: A smooth edge can be cut in steel plate (see plate on left in photo 1) using numerical control plasma cutting machines or a laser cutter as shown in photo 2 (laser beam shown in circle). The resulting smooth edges minimize or eliminate the need to grind the edge smooth.

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