WorkWagon

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The problem

The problem identified is tradespeople injuring themselves, when the injury could be easily avoided with better practice. The main injury that was apparent was when tradespeople attempt to act tough by lifting heavy loads. The area of focus is mainly towards unloading and loading vans because this is when the body is in a crouched position and attempting to lift and twist the body while still carrying the heavy weight. This bad practice can have a knock on effect on possible profits. This is due to the tradesperson having to take days off and pay hospital bills instead.

The current tools on the market for this type of problem haven't been redesigned in many years. These include the wheelbarrow, truck cart or a trolley.

The area to focus on

Unloading and loading vans because this is when the body is in a crouched position and attempting to lift and twist the body while still carrying the heavy weight.

Why is the WorkWagon needed?

This bad practice can have a knock on effect on possible profits. This is due to the tradesperson having to take days off and pay hospital bills instead of working.

The design brief

“How to enable van users to transport goods to and from a van safely, while improving their time efficiency”

What is going to be achieved?

The product will solve the problem of loading and unloading tools from a van. It will be designed to speed up the process therefore, making it worthwhile to purchase. The product will be successful if there are less injuries from poor/awkward lifting, and fewer broken tools as a result of using the product.

Interviews

"You'd be very surprised that sometimes the simplest of jobs like lifting boxes, I always manage to end up tweaking a muscle"

"It frustrates me how many trips back and forth from the van. I make whenever, I am packing away at the end of the day"

Key Findings

In 2021 there were 39 deaths in the construction industry mainly due to bad practice and taking shortcuts

When approaching the dwelling there must be an opening of at least 800mm
Access to the dwelling should have an opening of at least 775mm
Hallways are required to have a minimum width of 900mm

Major Insights

Early Conceptualisation

More focused ideation

Prototyping

User testing

Journey map with the WorkWagon

Description of product

The WorkWagon is a two-in-one product, combining both a wheelbarrow and a portable workbench to be the ultimate tradesperson’s tool. It transports tools and materials to and from vans to the required working location. Once the WorkWagon is at a suitable location to work from on the site, it doubles up as a workbench that can be raised to the optimum working height (850mm)(As seen in Figure 2). The WorkWagon aids the user in many ways, but the main benefit is the health and safety of the user because it helps the user with heavy lifts and prevents awkward twisting or putting unnecessary strain on the worker’s back.

To load the WorkWagon the user can simply push the equipment out of the van and onto the WorkWagon which can be set at the same height as the floor of the van. The user will then put a netting around the Workbench to prevent the equipment from falling off whilst in transit. The WorkWagon can then be easily pushed to the desired location on site. It’s narrow width (550mm) allows the Work Wagon to navigate constrained spaces, whilst the single wheel design increases its manoeuvrability. The workbench can then be raised using the foot pump, and the support legs can be dropped for added stability. When the workbench is in use, the user can clamp or secure material to it through the 20mm holes or by the clamping points on the side of the workbench.

"Less lifting, more doing"

Key Features
Foot powered height adjustable platform to allow unloading and loading of van easier
Clamping points around the edge of the workbench. This allows for a DIY vise to be made, using clamps
Single wheel to allow for easy maneuverability
Platform can be raised to 850mm and used as a workbench
MFT style workbench tabletop. which allows for clamping through the table.
Workbench can be customised and replaced easily when damaged.
Knuckle guards for hands located at the handles.

Unique Selling Point
Its a 2 in 1 product (Tool transporter and Workbench)
Can wheel the product to anywhere on the site, with the large front wheel. It also prevents damaging internal walls due to the rubbering on the corners.
Workbench can be raised to whatever the required height is
Health and safety

Manufacturing
Bending metal is the fastest method and can be mass produced
Welding is only used on the scissor lift because its time consuming
The parts are all screwed together to allow the user to dismantle it.

Packaging
Flat packed - less wasted space
The WorkWagon will come in four parts; the scissor lift, handle arm (Left), handle arm (Right), and the wheel. This will help the box to be as compact as possible.
Transported in cardboard box with a thin wooden
laminate piece of flooring to reinforce the base of the box

Product maintenance
Very low due to the materials used
Hydraulic pump will require infrequent oil changes
The wooden workbench can be removed easily if damaged

Sustainability
Responsible consumption and production
The WorkWagon will source all the raw materials as locally as possible. Therefore, lowering the damage due to transporting the materials. The manufacturing process will be looked at in detail to waste the least amount of raw materials as possible. This will both benefit the planet and profit

Final prototype