Inyang, N; Al-Hussein, M; El-Rich, M and Al-Jibouri, S (2012) Ergonomic analysis and the need for its integration for planning and assessing construction tasks. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 138(12), pp. 1370-1376. ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
The execution of daily construction tasks exposes workers to one or multiple ergonomic risk factors (awkward postures, static force, vibration, repetition, environmental risk, contact stress) and thus varying risks of developing musculoskeletal disorders. As a result, musculoskeletal disorders are common issues in construction and result in costly delays and disability claims. Though there is recent research investigating the epidemiology and causal factors for musculoskeletal injury, the construction industry has not fully embraced this as part of its safety practices. This study presents state-of-the-art ergonomic techniques, Canadian ergonomic legislation, and work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WRMSD) lost-time claims (LTC) statistics to show the resultant economic (cash and productivity) losses and adverse social (occupational health and safety) impact of WRMSDs resulting from current practice and legislation. The potential short- and long-term productivity and cost merits of incorporating ergonomic assessments for construction tasks are presented.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction costs; construction tasks; ergonomic analysis; occupational safety; productivity; work-related musculoskeletal disorders |
| Index terms: | occupational health and safety, injury, legislation, disability, vibration, environmental risk, state of the art, integration, construction cost, productivity, statistics, occupational safety, construction industry, risk factor |
| Subjects: | mathematical modelling, mechanical systems, research dissemination and communication, financial and cost management, legal systems, financial risk, management, environmental hazards, industry analysis, health conditions and diseases, organizational analysis, occupational health and safety management |
| Topics: | Health and Safety, Business Strategy, Cost Management, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Sustainability, Legal Issues, Organizational Design |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here