Don’t Leave Ergonomics Out of Your Cosntruction Safety Program
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC Room 202
Start Date
15-5-2014
End Date
15-5-2014
Keywords
Construction safety, work-related musculoskeletal disorders, worker training, ergonomics, hazard
Abstract
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) continue to be a major concern for the construction industry. It is critical for construction workers to be educated on ergonomic risk factors (ERFs) to reduce/prevent WMSDs. Current trends on worker training pertaining to ERFs, workers’ perception towards ERFs and their ability to identify and control them has not been studied. This study aims to fill this gap with the following objectives: (1) to identify the construction crafts’ perception of ERFs compared to other hazards; (2) to understand the trends in worker training pertaining to ERFs; and (3) to report the construction crafts’ current ability to identify and control ERFs. The study methodology involved the development and distribution of a short questionnaire. Questionnaires were received from 315 construction workers from the western United States. It was found that majority of the workers perceive ERFs as a major hazard and discuss ERFs regularly during their pre-task meetings. However, it was found that a staggering 28 percent have not received any training on ergonomic interventions. Review of crew pre-task plans suggested that only 40 percent of the workers identified and controlled ERFs. It is evident the construction community has an opportunity to reduce WMSDs by proper worker training on ERFs.
Recommended Citation
Rajendran, Sathyanarayanan, "Don’t Leave Ergonomics Out of Your Cosntruction Safety Program" (2014). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 94.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2014/oralpresentations/94
Additional Mentoring Department
Engineering Technologies, Safety, and Construction
Don’t Leave Ergonomics Out of Your Cosntruction Safety Program
SURC Room 202
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) continue to be a major concern for the construction industry. It is critical for construction workers to be educated on ergonomic risk factors (ERFs) to reduce/prevent WMSDs. Current trends on worker training pertaining to ERFs, workers’ perception towards ERFs and their ability to identify and control them has not been studied. This study aims to fill this gap with the following objectives: (1) to identify the construction crafts’ perception of ERFs compared to other hazards; (2) to understand the trends in worker training pertaining to ERFs; and (3) to report the construction crafts’ current ability to identify and control ERFs. The study methodology involved the development and distribution of a short questionnaire. Questionnaires were received from 315 construction workers from the western United States. It was found that majority of the workers perceive ERFs as a major hazard and discuss ERFs regularly during their pre-task meetings. However, it was found that a staggering 28 percent have not received any training on ergonomic interventions. Review of crew pre-task plans suggested that only 40 percent of the workers identified and controlled ERFs. It is evident the construction community has an opportunity to reduce WMSDs by proper worker training on ERFs.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Rajendran, Sathyanarayanan