Evidence‐based Prevention of Work‐related Musculoskeletal Injuries in Construction Industry

Abstract

Abstract. Many construction work tasks are physically very strenuous and the incidence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among construction workers is considerably higher than those in most other occupations. The aim of the study presented in this paper was to contribute to understanding a healthy construction site brought about by the best practices implemented by large construction sites to prevent WMSDs. A triangulation method made of interviews, site observations and studies on company"s documents was used to identify the best practices in 13 several construction projects. A range of the best practices both in the pre-construction and construction phases of the projects were identified in six different areas of the balance of the construction workplace system; however, there seems to be a significant need for good practices in the management of a systematic work environment. It is now established that Swedish construction industry has several best practices to protect work-related musculoskeletal health. However, inadequate worker participation and the neglect of health and safety issues by designers in the planning process as well as the implications of some remuneration methods on the production schedule were perceived as detrimental to the musculoskeletal health of construction workers.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among construction workers in the United States from 1992 to 2014

“…With regard to these inconsistent findings, many studies on WMSDs are often limited by small sample sizes,14 15 a particular state/region,16 a specific musculoskeletal illness,17 a specific occupation 18–21. Moreover, a large number of the studies only examined WMSDs at one point in time,4 17 which leaves the overall trends of WMSDs in the US construction industry unclear.…”

Ergonominių rizikos veiksnių tyrimas komercinėje įmonėje

“…Tam būtina numatyti prevencines priemones, kad darbuotojai būtų apsaugoti nuo rizikos arba ji butų sumažinta iki minimalios (Rwamamara, ir kt., 2010;Taveira, Smith, 2011;Šukys, ir kt., 2011). Pirmenybę visada reikėtų teikti ne asmeninėms apsaugos priemonėms, o problemų jų susidarymo vietoje šalinimui.…”

“…Pirmenybę visada reikėtų teikti ne asmeninėms apsaugos priemonėms, o problemų jų susidarymo vietoje šalinimui. Asmeninės apsauginės priemonės turėtų būti naudojamos tada, kai nėra finansinių arba kitų galimybių taikyti kolektyvinių apsaugos priemonių (Brigder, 2003;Rwamamara ir kt., 2010).…”

“…(2004); profesinių ligų ekonominių ir socialinių pasekmių analizę statybos sektoriuje -R. Šukys ir kt. (2011); traumų prevencines priemones statybos pramonėje -R. Rwamamara ir kt. (2010); triukšmo poveikio darbo aplinkoje naujas įvertinimo ir valdymo galimybes -K. A.…”

Risk assessment of the job tasks for heavy equipment operators

“…In the construction industry, several studies focused on risk assessment of construction workers [5,6]; musculoskeletal discomfort in crane and forklift operators [7]; whole body vibration exposure of scraper operators [8]; and, workrelated musculoskeletal symptoms for construction workers [9] and prevention strategies [10]. The effects of noise exposure on heavy equipment operators have also been studied [11,12].…”