WOC Participants Take Ergonomically Friendly Drill Jig for Test Drive

This year at the World of Concrete, a The Center for Construction Research and Training-supported research team made a splash with a new concrete drill jig. The new heavy-duty drilling rig, sold under the trade name “DrillBoss,” is the latest product from the team of David Rempel and Alan Barr at University of California Ergonomics program.

The team, having seen California construction laborers suffer fatigue and possible long-term injury while drilling hundreds of dowel holes into concrete, set out to make this task a little easier. It is equipped with a saddle that can accommodate two drills at once.

In addition, it is also an important aid in worker safety, protecting users against potential health hazards. Tasks like dowel drilling and overhead or lateral drilling can generate significant amounts of dangerous airborne crystalline silica.

To help protect workers from health hazards caused by exposure to silica particles, Rempel and Barr have incorporated a new dust capture system on the drill. The system features either of two components: a dust shroud over the bit that attaches to the jig, or a hollow bit with a vacuum port, which is manufactured by Hilti. The vacuums are mounted on the jig.

Not only did the drill rig garner attention at WOC, but it has gained traction with commercial construction contractors. For example, McCarthy Construction is using 10 rigs on an eight-story renovation in San Francisco, Calif. The project involves drilling more than 20,000 holes over a three-month period. The jigs in use speed work by drilling two perfectly spaced holes simultaneously.

For more information and to see the drill in action, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=DefKEKllnls&feature=youtu.be.

Images courtesy of CPWR — The Center for Construction Research and Training.