Ergonomic Series – General Ergonomics
Date Posted: 02/14/2024
Ergonomics fits the task to the person. It strives to create the best atmosphere for any occupation to prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). These disorders affect muscles, blood vessels, nerves, ligaments, and tendons in the body and can be caused by repetitive tasks like lifting, bending, and reaching.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that ergonomic injuries account for 33% of all workplace worker injury and illness cases, with direct costs to the industry of over $20 billion annually and estimated total costs of $45-54 billion annually. Compared to the lost workdays of the average injury or illness (8 days), ergonomic injuries result in 38% more lost time days (11 days). Awkward postures are a significant ergonomic risk that leads to these types of injuries.
What is an Ergonomic Hazard?
Ergonomic risk factors are characteristics of a job that contribute to creating ergonomic stress on the body. Risk factors are present at varying levels for different jobs and tasks. Generally, the greater the exposure to a single risk factor or combination of risk factors, the greater the probability of an ergonomic injury or illness, also called Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD).
The construction trades have many risk factors that may cause MSDs that are only sometimes easy to identify or brought to our attention. Some examples are masons with back problems due to the repeated lifting of cement blocks and carpenters with wrist problems due to the repeated use of a hammer.
Common Ergonomic Hazards in Construction
Heavy lifting: It’s no secret that construction work includes much heavy lifting. Lifting 50 lbs. or more can be extremely tough on the body and can lead to significant injury when lifting a load improperly. On construction sites, workers are constantly lifting heavy equipment, lumber, and metal and are regularly opening and closing heavy container lids. These repetitive motions combined with the objects’ weight can create fatigue and strain, leading to muscle tears, joint pain, and hernias.
Improper grip & repetitive hand movement: While the way you hold your equipment may not seem like it matters, improper grip on tools, such as hammers, nail guns, screwdrivers, drills, and others, can cause significant damage to the hand and wrist. Workers who aren’t trained to hold these instruments properly and repeatedly move their hands and wrists improperly can develop carpal tunnel syndrome, sprains, and muscle fatigue.
Tool training and upkeep: Tools are, arguably, one of the most prominent pieces of a job in construction. That being said, proper training and usage make a world of difference in the safety of workers. Also, properly maintaining tools can help reduce muscle strain and potential joint and tendon injury from tools requiring extra effort.
Repetitive tasks: Projects that require repetitive motion, such as hammering, carrying and lifting materials, and even measuring, can cause pain and injury to your muscles and ligaments, especially in the hand. The longer these motions are repeated, the more wear and tear they can cause on bones, joints, and ligaments.
Ergonomic Hazard Prevention
Construction work creates a dynamic, diverse, and constantly changing environment that requires the diligent protection of construction workers. While we typically focus on helping to prevent the more dramatic physical hazards posed on a construction project (such as falls from height and dropped objects), it’s important to note that less dramatic events on the job site can also lead to ergonomic hazards. Follow these guidelines to help prevent ergonomic hazards.
Promote correct posture that uses the legs with a straight back and no twisting or bending over.
Avoid awkward postures or unnecessary stretching to do overhead work. For example, adjust ladders or scaffolds to the appropriate working height.
Consider the weight and configuration of lifted items, stop for additional assistance, and use lift devices wherever possible.
Use a two-person lift or a mechanical assist lifting device to carry or move heavy loads. Use your legs to lift the load, not your back, if possible.
Break down heavy loads into smaller units to lighten the individual load.
Design work activities so employees do not have to work on their knees. If the job requires it, use knee pads.
Use ergonomically designed tools with specially designed hand grips for repetitive tasks, and switch hands periodically as needed.
Keep tools in top shape to avoid additional exertion (e.g., sharpened knives and drill bits in good condition).
Use the correct tools for the job (e.g., avoid using a screwdriver rather than a knife because the tool was not easily accessible).
Avoid repeatedly twisting the hands and wrists. Provide proper hand tools designed to keep the hand and wrist in a comfortable, neutral position.
Stretch to warm up before work.
Resources
Ergonomics - Solutions to Control Hazards | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov)
Simple Solutions Ergonomics for Construction Workers | NIOSH | CDC
Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders | NIOSH | CDC
Ergonomics - Overview | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov)
