title: Does drywall installers' innovative idea reduce the ergonomic exposures of ceiling installation: A field case study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study was conducted to assess an intervention suggested by the workers to reduce the physical or ergonomic exposures of the drywall installation task.
  
  
  METHODS
  The drywall installers were asked to brainstorm on innovative ideas that could reduce their ergonomic exposures during the drywall installation work. The workers proposed the idea of using a 'deadman' (narrow panel piece) to hold the panels to the ceiling while installing them. The researcher collected quantitative exposure data (PATH, 3DSSPP) at the baseline and intervention phases and compared the phases to find out any change in the exposure while using the 'deadman'.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed that ergonomic exposures (such as overhead arm and awkward trunk postures and heavy load handling) were reduced at the intervention phase while using the 'deadman' with an electrically operated lift.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The concept of the 'deadman', which was shown to help reduce musculoskeletal exposures during ceiling installation, can be used to fabricate a permanent ergonomic tool to support the ceiling drywall panel.
authors.affiliation: Marshall University, 1676 3rd Avenue, Huntington 25755, West Virginia, USA. Electronic address: dasguptap@marshall.edu.
authors.forename: Priyadarshini Sengupta
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Dasgupta
authors.affiliation: University of Massachusetts Lowell, 1 University Avenue, Kitson Hall, Lowell, Massachusetts 01854. Electronic address: Laura_Punnett@uml.edu.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Punnett
authors.affiliation: University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd, Boston, 02125, MA, United States. Electronic address: Susan.Moir@umb.edu.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moir
authors.affiliation: University of Massachusetts Lowell, 883 Broadway Street, Mahoney Hall, Lowell, 01854, MA, United States. Electronic address: Sarah_Kuhn@uml.edu.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kuhn
authors.affiliation: Marshall University, 1676 3rd Avenue, Huntington 25755, West Virginia, USA. Electronic address: Bryan_Buchholz@uml.edu.
authors.forename: Bryan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Buchholz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D060389:Construction Industry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D003252:Construction Materials; D006804:Ergonomics; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Drywall ceiling installation; Exposure reduction; Innovative ideas