Identification of ergonomics interventions used to reduce musculoskeletal loading for building installation tasks

Albers, Jim; Estill, Cheryl Fairfield; MacDonald, Leslie A.

doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2004.07.005

Cited by 54 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Ergonomics interventions in the workplace are likely to be most effective if they recognise both the individual and organisational readiness to change and target approach to develop new solutions, as used in work with mechanical and electrical workers (Albers et al, 2004), with the workers should be adopted and the results disseminated throughout the industry. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Manual handling of highway kerbs—focus group findings

2005

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The manual handling of concrete highway kerbs remains commonplace in the construction industry despite obvious risks to operatives. A study was commissioned to find out why the operation still includes manual handling, what alternatives exist and how the organisation of the work affects exposure to risk. Although this study involved a literature review and visits to examine manufacture, supply and installation of kerbs, the focus groups which were held with industry professionals to discuss manufacture, installation methods, design and training are reported here. Related published research was very limited and the visits confirmed manual handling to be widespread for installation but eliminated or controlled in other areas of the process.Risks to health of construction workers remained as they were not considered in the design of the product, design of the work or identified and controlled through risk assessments. Focus group findings highlighted manufacturer's myopia, lack of installation knowledge of designers and shortfalls in training of installation work.Recommendations from the research are that a pro-active approach to health needs to be adopted by the manufacturers of heavy construction products. Designers of work 2 requiring the use of heavy products need to have more experience of site operations, and training of manual handling awareness should be performed at all levels in construction organisations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Manual handling of highway kerbs—focus group findings

2005

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“…It is not surprising that the incidence of MSDs in this industry is particularly high (Schneider, 1997). Albers et al (2004), in a study of ergonomic interventions to reduce musculoskeletal loading in building installation tasks, identified a number of high risk tasks associated with the electrical and mechanical trades. These included pulling cables/wires, attaching raceway to ceilings, positioning fixtures and connecting wires.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shoulder muscle loading and task performance for overhead work on ladders versus Mobile Elevated Work Platforms

Phelan¹,

O’Sullivan²

2014

Applied Ergonomics

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A high incidence of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) has been reported in the construction sector. The use of ladders in the workplace has long been identified as a significant risk that can lead to workplace accidents. However, it is unclear if platform types have an effect on the physical risk factors for MSDs in overhead work. The aim of this study is to perform a pilot study on the effects of hand activity on both shoulder muscle loading and task performance while working on ladders versus Mobile Elevated Working Platforms (MEWPs). It is hypothesised that work on ladders would result in greater muscle loading demands, increased levels of discomfort and reduced performance due to the restrictions on postures that could be adopted. A field study (n=19) of experienced electricians on a construction site found that workers spent approximately 28% of their working time on ladders versus 6% on MEWPs. However, the durations of individual tasks were higher on MEWPs (153 seconds) than on ladders (73 seconds). Additionally, maximum levels of perceived discomfort (on a VAS 0-100) were reported for the shoulders (27), neck (23), and lower regions of the body (22). A simulated study (n= 12) found that task performance and discomfort were not significantly different between platform types (ladder vs. MEWP) when completing either of three tasks: cabling, assembly and drilling. However, platform and task had significant effects (p<0.05) on median and peak electromyograpic (EMG) activity of the anterior deltoid and upper trapezius. EMG amplitudes were higher for the deltoid than the upper trapezius. For the deltoid, the peak percentile amplitudes were, on average, higher for ladder work over MEWP work for the hand intensive cabling (32 vs. 27% Maximal Voluntary Exertion (MVE)) and the assembly task (19 vs. 6% MVE). Conversely, for drilling the peak percentile EMG amplitudes were marginally lower for ladder compared to the MEWP (3.9 vs. 5.1% MVE). The general implication was that working on the MEWP involved lower shoulder muscle loading for cabling and assembly task. A difference due to platform type was not present for drilling work.

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“…Even though the use of automation systems and construction robots in real construction sites will decrease labour intensity and thus reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), any inappropriate designs for working processes and environments can cause new types of accidents. Due to the harmful consequences of violent, irregular motions and unnatural postures of the body, poor working postures have been considered as one of the major causes of musculoskeletal disorders in industrial sites by many ergonomists and practitioners of health and safety (Albers et al, 2005;Haslegrave, 1994;Van Wely, 1970;Westgaard and Aaras, 1984). Working postures are as important for the performance of tasks as they are for promoting health and minimizing stress and discomfort during work (Haslegrave, 1994).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%