Replacement of Folding Lid Stay Hinges on Fish Stocking Tanks with Pneumatic Struts Improves Worker Safety

Fish transport tank lids are frequently supported by folding lid stay hinges.While these hinges are safer than no supports, stay hinge failure has resulted in several injuries to aquaculture workers.This article describes the replacement of folding lid stay hinges with pneumatic struts.These commonly-available and relatively-inexpensive struts greatly reduce the risk of occupational injury.In South Dakota, USA, head, back, arm, and serious hand injuries have all occurred because of folding lid stay hinge failure.Since replacement of the stay hinges with pneumatic struts, no further injuries have occurred.