Due to the high tensile strength of reinforced steel bars or rebar, manually bending them can result in less accuracy, decreased productivity, and worst of all, long-term health effects for construction workers. Manual rebar bending is an occupational hazard that leads to chronic back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders. The National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) recommends that construction managers minimise the time and frequency spent on handling rebar by hand.
Fortunately, there are specialised tools designed to make the rebar bending process simpler and safer. One of these tools is the reo bender, an industrial-grade machine that saves time, energy and costly trips to the doctor.
Premium quality reo benders can efficiently bend reinforced steel bars into a wide variety of shapes. Most machines are capable of bending for up to 16mm in diameter—more than enough for the average construction project. Some bigger models can handle up to 32mm with bending angles ranging from 0 to 180 degrees.
Despite the reo bar bender's heavy-duty purpose, they are not heavy. In fact, there are lightweight and portable models available. Portable rebar bending machines are designed to work in small construction spaces without compromising the quality of work.
Reo benders are known for their high-speed bending (it only takes five seconds), smooth running and precise results. Unlike manual rebar bending, reo bar-benders do not cause any superficial damage to the reinforced steel.
Contractors and managers are responsible for complying with work health and safety regulations. To ensure that each construction worker is protected, the right tools and equipment must be present in the workplace. Reo bar benders are just one of the many tools that can increase productivity while ensuring that workers stay safe and healthy.
