The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends applying grips on all pneumatic tools for safety “Publication 3080 Hand and Power Tools – Use of heavy jackhammers and other pneumatic tools can cause fatigue and strains. Heavy rubber grips reduce these effects by providing a secure handhold”. OSHA also states under Construction Safety Orders Article 3 Section 1520 “Hand protection shall be required for employees whose work involves unusual and excessive exposure to physical agents which are encountered and capable of causing injury or impairments”. Subchapter 7 – General Industry Safety orders Article 6 Ergonomics states “Every employer subject to this section shall establish and implement a program designed to minimize RMIs (Repetitive Motion Injuries)”.
Ergonomics has become such an important part of occupational health that the US Department of Labor and OSHA have adopted and drafted an ergonomic standard for general industry. Even the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) got into the mix issuing the “Simple Solutions Ergonomics for Construction Workers” in 2006 (DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2007-122).
“Ergonomics” is a general term that has different meanings to different audiences. Most often, this term is applied to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The U. S. Department of Labor defines an MSD as an injury or disorder of the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage, and spinal discs. MSDs do not include disorders caused by slips, trips, falls, motor vehicle accidents, or similar accidents. The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes detailed characteristics for MSD cases that resulted in at least one lost day from work. MSDs accounted for 29 percent of all workplace injuries requiring time away from work in 2007.
Ergonomics is the science of fitting workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of the working population. Effective and successful “fits” assure high productivity, avoidance of illness and injury risks, and increased satisfaction among the workforce. Although the scope of ergonomics is much broader, the term here refers to assessing those work-related factors that may pose a risk of musculoskeletal disorders and recommendations to alleviate them. Common examples of ergonomic risk factors are found in jobs requiring repetitive, forceful, or prolonged exertions of the hands; frequent or heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying of heavy objects; and prolonged awkward postures. Vibration and cold may add risk to these work conditions.
These US Department of Labor guidelines provide recommendations to help reduce the number and severity of work-related 
musculoskeletal disorders, increase employer and employee awareness of ergonomic risk factors, eliminate unsafe work practices, alleviate muscle fatigue, and increase productivity.
Re-Grip, Inc. of Lake Elsinore, California has created a solution to minimize safety risk and down time while adhering to OSHA recommendations. Re-Grip is a universal solution to applying a new handle grip. Significantly improving the few options on the market, Re-Grip uses strong, durable elastic material to provide mechanical and environmental protection while enhancing comfort for the user. It is ergonomic and reduces muscle fatigue while having non-slip properties for better control and safety.
Replacement grips are usually specific to a particular tool or application and difficult to install. This product can fit any handle that is cylindrical or semi-cylindrical. Its applications include tools like hammers and sledges, lawn and garden items like shovels and wheelbarrows, jackhammers and other pneumatic tools, industrial applications like levers and wrenches, everyday household items like brooms and brushes, and so much more. “Its versatility is what makes it so great” says John Vernieu, Co-Founder of Re-Grip, Inc.
With its special patent pending design, Re-Grip is easy for anyone to install. The elastic grip is held extended by an inner coil, forming a tube that fits over the handle. The user simply pulls a tab at the bottom to unwind the coil, allowing the elastic grip to constrict around the handle. The entire process takes seconds. “Having Re-Grips handy on our trucks has been great. Every time we need a replacement grip on a construction site, we simply grab a Re-Grip and in seconds we are back up and running. It minimizes downtime while maintaining our safety requirements, which are both critical to any business.” says Jamie Bahr, owner of Inland Valley Pipe Line.
Re-Grip is available in three sizes – with clearance of 1.3”, 1.6” and 2.1” – for application with most types of handles. Length is seven inches but custom lengths are available. Product information is also available at Re-Grip.com.
Go to the web site http://www.re-grip.com and view the install videos it all comes clear.