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Ergonomic walkthrough evaluation of drywall tasks.

Authors
Chiou S; Pan CS
Source
Proc 12th Ann Constr Saf Health Conf Expo, May 21-23, 2002, Rosemont, Illinois, 2002 May; :335
Link
NIOSHTIC No.
20023575
Abstract
Drywall installers and finishers are constantly exposed to ergonomic job risk factors which may result in adverse health and safety outcomes such as cumulative traumatic disorders and slip/fall injuries. The objective of this study was to determine and characterize the ergonomic risk factors of drywall tasks. The risk factors associated with drywall tools and assistive devices (e.g., stilts) were also identified. Thirty-one workers at two different construction sites were observed and videotaped while performing their routine drywall tasks. An ergonomic walkthrough checklist was-used to obtain an overview of the risk factors that affect the workers who work specifically in the drywall industry. Based on the checklist data, drywall tasks were rank-ordered by the scores obtained for stressful postures of five body parts: neck/shoulders, elbow, back, hips/legs, and wrists. In addition, the repetitive motions were rank-ordered for torso, lower extremities and upper extremities. A preliminary analysis indicates that the most stressful body part was neck/shoulder followed by elbow. The upper extremity repetitiveness of drywall finishing tasks were higher than that for the installation tasks. Results from this study are useful in identifying the specific features of drywall tasks that are contributing to the ergonomic risks.
Keywords
Ergonomics; Job stress; Risk factors; Injuries; Injury prevention; Traumatic injuries; Construction industry; Construction workers; Neck injuries; Musculoskeletal system disorders; Cumulative trauma disorders; Cumulative trauma
Contact
Christopher Pan, Ph.D., Division of Safety Research, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road M/S G800, Morgantown, WV 26505
Publication Date
20020521
Document Type
Abstract; Conference/Symposia Proceedings
Email Address
cpan@cdc.gov
Fiscal Year
2002
NIOSH Division
DSR
Priority Area
Disease and Injury: Traumatic Injuries; Research Tools and Approaches: Control Technology and Personal Protective Equipment
Source Name
Proceedings of the 12th Annual Construction, Safety and Health Conference and Exposition
State
WV; IL
Page last reviewed: March 3, 2021
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Education and Information Division