Critical Analyses of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Practical Solutions in Construction

Choi, Sang D.; Lü, Yuan; Borchardt, James G.

doi:10.1177/1541931214581341

Cited by 13 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Several musculoskeletal injury prevention measures (e.g., site-specific ergonomics programs, engineering controls, mechanical devices, exercise programs) have been enforced to reduce the burden of manual-lifting hazards. The "best practices" do not cause pain and/or discomfort in the back and wrist, and were identified to increase the productivity [2,15]. These measures encourage the development of initiatives that analyze ergonomic hazards and implement site-specific mitigation strategies and practices.…”

Section: Current State Of Musculoskeletal Disorder Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[1]. MSDs are attributed to handling heavy manual materials, manipulating excessive and repetitive hand tools, performing repetitive screw motions, reinforcing works involving difficult postures, and so on [2]. When the working posture differs from the neutral posture in which the body is aligned and balanced while placing minimal stress on the muscles, tendons, nerves, and bones, the stress on the body parts (i.e., the muscles, tendons, joints, arms, hands, and shoulders) increases, resulting in awkward postures and/or movements of the body parts of the workers, in turn leading to a negative impact on the safety and health of the workers as well as on productivity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Analysis of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Muscle Stresses on Construction Workers’ Awkward Postures Using Simulation

et al. 2020

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The negligence involved in musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) at construction sites results in high rates of muscle injuries. This paper presents findings identified by the MSD for each part of a worker’s body, categorizing the awkward postures of each body part, estimating muscle stresses, and establishing the benchmark using anthropometry and hand force data. MSDs and their corresponding frequencies were identified by administering the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) survey, which solicits responses regarding construction workers’ awkward postures. Musculoskeletal stresses were estimated using three-dimensional static strength prediction program (3D SSPP) biomechanical software. The new benchmarks were established for existing preventive measures using the anthropometry and hand force data. Workers suffering from different body muscle pains in awkward postures may be predicted using the compression forces magnitude, strength capability, and body balance. The model was verified by comparing its outputs with the survey analysis results. The study is of value to practitioners because it provided a means to understand the contemporary scenario of MSD and to establish a practical benchmark based on the physical capability of workers. It is relevant to researchers because it digitally predicts MSD and facilitates experimentation with different dimensions, thereby contributing to construction productivity improvement. Test cases validate the prediction method.

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Section: Current State Of Musculoskeletal Disorder Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Muscle Stresses on Construction Workers’ Awkward Postures Using Simulation

et al. 2020

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“…Construction sites are complex places with high dynamics and risks. Consequently, construction remains a high-risk industry for occupational safety and health (Choi, Yuan, & Borchardt, 2014). Collisions between construction entities (e.g., equipment, workers on foot, and material) are a leading cause of construction injuries and fatalities, such as workers on foot struck by equipment or objects.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Network-Based Safety Leading Indicators for Safety Risk Analysis in Construction

Wang

Razavi

2019

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual

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The number of fatal injuries in construction was the highest compared to that in other industries for many years. Particularly, a large number of fatal injuries were caused by struck by hazards. Safety leading indicators are the continuous measurements of safety performance of construction work and offer multiple advantages for safety management. However, no safety leading indicators representing the risk levels, particularly, of struck by hazard were developed. Therefore, to monitor safety risk and prevent struck by hazards in a more effective and proactive manner, safety leading indicators representing the dynamic risk levels of individual entities (i.e., entity level) and the whole construction site (i.e., network level) were investigated. A network-based framework with two safety leading indicators for dynamic struck-by risk analysis was proposed. The two leading indicators in representing struck by risk levels were verified and examined using a controlled field experiment and two simulated scenarios.

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“…The most common type of construction worker injury, a musculoskeletal injury, results from conditions experienced by workers tying rebar. In fact, this type of injury is predominantly seen in the rod working field [1,2]. This can be reduced, if not eliminated, through use of state-of the-art technology [2,3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving Construction Labor Productivity Using Automatic Rebar Tying Gun

Safa¹,

Cárdenas²,

LeBlanc³

et al. 2016

Proceedings of the International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (IAARC)

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-Rebar tying is labor-intensive and expensive, with a high learning curve that restricts proficiency at the craft to a great deal of construction field experience. Obtaining this experience requires tasks that are taxing on the human body, often resulting in muscular and skeletal injuries. Previously, research and engineering controls for rebar tying/rod busting have been reasonably limited. The main contribution of this study is investigating the use of a new advanced technology to reduce the time, cost, and hazard associated with rebar tying. Hence, several experiments were conducted on the effectiveness of an automatic rebar tying gun by comparing the speed and cost effectiveness of this tool with the common industry practice of manually tying rebar with a spool of wire and pliers. The study results show that the automatic rebar tying gun could lower the learning curve, thereby reducing training times and minimizing redundant routines. By minimizing the amount of time invested in training employees, the possibility of saving time and money is apparent. However, risk reduction is also implied by the lessening of time invested in training employees. This is because resignations frequently happen before a return on the investment of training is produced, resulting in sunk costs. Various repetitive, often manual, movements required of workers have been observed to be reduced from the use of the rebar tying gun. The results of this study also shows that the automatic rebar tying gun has a potential to save time, money, and ergonomic liabilities without risking productivity.

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Critical Analyses of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Practical Solutions in Construction

Cited by 13 publications

References 32 publications

Analysis of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Muscle Stresses on Construction Workers’ Awkward Postures Using Simulation

Analysis of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Muscle Stresses on Construction Workers’ Awkward Postures Using Simulation

Network-Based Safety Leading Indicators for Safety Risk Analysis in Construction

Improving Construction Labor Productivity Using Automatic Rebar Tying Gun

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