A study of trade-specific occupational ergonomics considerations in the U.S. construction industry.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this survey study was to identify trade-specific ergonomic issues, and discuss practical solutions to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and injuries in the construction industry.


METHODS
Thirty-two construction firms in the Midwestern United States completed the final survey questionnaire. Twelve different construction skilled trades participated included: general contractor, road, heavy and highway, concrete, electrical, carpentry, landscaping, plumbing, roofing, steel erection, street lighting/traffic signal, and utility construction. Total workforce of the participating companies numbered 11,118 employees.


RESULTS
More than 90% of the participants in the survey had a written safety program; however, the majority of the firms did not have a trade-specific ergonomic intervention. The survey revealed that construction constructors perceived safety (worker well-being) as a high priority in their company. This study suggested that construction skilled-trade jobs the construction worker to employ trade-specific hand tools and working body positions that may contribute to different types of WMSD risks, body parts injured, and injury sources. Possible practical construction trade-specific ergonomic solutions might be considered includinge: selection of ergonomic hand tools, reduction of weight of construction materials, and promotion of wellness exercises.


CONCLUSIONS
This paper may imply that need for more trade-specific ergonomics program elements to help alleviate the work-related musculoskeletal problems in the construction field.
Department of Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whitewater, WI 53190-1790, USA. chois@uww.edu
Sang D
SD
Choi
D000288:Administrative Personnel / Q000523:psychology; D017677:Age Distribution; D060389:Construction Industry; D006804:Ergonomics / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D017770:Lifting / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D015146:Midwestern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000592:standards; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015397:Program Evaluation; D017751:Safety Management / Q000592:standards*; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D000078329:Workforce; D017132:Workplace / Q000592:standards; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology