Ergonomics in Construction: Where does it hurt?

Abstract

Construction requires, inter alia, bending and twisting, working in awkward or cramped positions, reaching away from the body and overhead, repetitive movements, handling heavy materials and equipment, use of body force, exposure to vibration and noise, and climbing and descending.

The paper, which is based upon interviews conducted with workers using a structured questionnaire and a graphic inquiry, determined, inter alia: the hands, feet and lower back are mostly used; the lower and upper back are the anatomic regions where most pain is experienced, and handling heavy materials predominate among ergonomic problems encountered.

Tests conducted to investigate relationships determined mechanisation to be the intervention with the most potential to mitigate the current impact of the construction process on the human body.

Keywords: construction, ergonomics, workers, pain, mechanization.