ERGONOMICS ASSESSMENT TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY Ita Leyden Consultant Ergonomist and Forensic Engineer CMG Construction Health & Safety Conference October 2nd 2019

Overview Ergonomic risks in construction industry. Introduce effective tools to identify ergonomic risk factors Examples of control measures for construction industry

First step… Need to recognise risk factors exist Construction workers Employers Work together towards controlling and eliminating risk factors

Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) Caused by job activities and conditions, like lifting, repetitive motions, and work in confined areas – typical in construction: Carrying heavy loads Working on knees / restricted spaces Twisting hands or wrists Stretching to work overhead Use of poorly designed tools Use of vibrating tools or equipment

Trade specific hazards Risks Excavation Work Exposure to whole body vibration from earthmoving equipment Ergonomic problems from poor seat and cab design Working in awkward postures

Trade specific hazards Risks Structural Steel Work Awkward postures Repetitive motions Use of pneumatic tools Crane operators exposed to whole body vibration

Trade specific hazards Risks Plumbing Work Cramped work conditions Overhead work conditions Welding associated with injuries due to poor design of welding gun

Trade specific hazards Risks Electrical Work Using tools with poor ergonomic design leading to wrist injury Back issues due to straining while pulling cables

Ergonomics of Masonry Work >1000 forward bending movements/shift – low back disorders Frequent work above shoulder height Exposure to extremes of temperature Use large trowels to increase efficiency Wear gloves which can reduce the effective grip on trowels Restricted/cramped spaces High production rate

Improvements Develop information and training on trade-specific ergonomic practices, including work pacing. Plan and organize sites to facilitate access, reduce unnecessary materials handling, and avoid work in constricted spaces that force workers into awkward postures and twisting movements. Use height-adjustable mortarboards to reduce forward bending. Similarly, keep platforms for stocking brick and block no lower than knee-height. Work with manufacturers to develop more ergonomically favorable bricks and blocks

Brick sizes 390mm x 90mm x 90mm 240mm x 70mm x 80mm Approximately a 50% increase in relative risk of injury to the upper extremity and only a 5% increase in productivity Construction Safety Association of Ontario research – Aug 2000

Assessment Tools MAC – Manual Assessment Charts ART – Assessment of Repetitive Tasks RAPP – Risk Assessment for Pushing and Pulling RULA – Rapid Upper Limb Assessment REBA – Rapid Entire Body Assessment

HSE MAC Tool MAC was developed to identify high-risk manual handling. Not appropriate for some manual handling operations (pushing and pulling). Not designed to access risks associated with workplace upper limb disorders. MAC Lifting Team handling Carrying

How to complete a MAC assessment 1. Observe task (videoing may help). 2. Select the appropriate type of assessment (Lifting, Carrying or Team handling). → If a task involves lifting and carrying, consider both. 3. Follow the appropriate assessment guide and flow chart to determine the level of risk for each risk factor. 4. Enter the colour band and corresponding numerical score on the MAC Score sheet. 5. Identify which risk factors need to be examined. G Low level of risk A Medium level of risk R High level of risk P Very high level of risk

Score Sheet

Flow chart for lifting operations

Assessment guide for lifting operations

Assessment guide for lifting operations

Assessment guide for lifting operations

Assessment guide for lifting operations

Sample Completed Score Sheet Prioritise action by addressing the task with the highest total score first. The total scores do not relate to specific action levels. 13 17 9

HSE ART Tool

Task description

Risk factors

Stage A : Frequency and repetition Rapid or prolonged repetition may not allow sufficient time for recovery

Stage B : Force Handling heavy objects Fast movement or excessive force generated by the muscles of the body Local compression and stress from items that come into contact with parts of the upper limb Impact or shock

Stage C : Awkward postures Awkward posture: a part of the body is used well beyond its neutral position Static postures: a part of the body is held in a particular position for extended periods of time without the soft tissues being allowed to relax.

C1. Head / neck posture

Step 3 : Score sheet

What the scores mean ? Help prioritise those tasks that require the most urgent attention; and Help check the effectiveness of any risk reduction measures put into place. The colours assigned to the risk factors help identify where to focus risk reduction measures. Exposure score Proposed Exposure level 0 – 11 Low Consider individual circumstances 12 – 21 Medium Further investigation required 22 or more High Further investigation required urgently

RAPP Type A assessment –wheeled equipment Type B assessment – non wheeled equipment

Weight

Posture

RAPP Score sheet

RULA Use of the RULA worksheet

REBA Use of the REBA worksheet

Interventions

Fastening Tools that Reduce Stooping Use an auto-feed screw gun with an extension that allows an upright posture.

Motorized Concrete Screeds

Rebar tying tools

Skid plates for concrete hoses

Tool selection Source: NIOSH Easy Ergonomics: A Guide to Selecting Non-Powered Hand Tools

Tool selection