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Document ID (ISN)111973
CIS number 11-0723
ISSN - Serial title 0003-6870 - Applied Ergonomics
Year 2011
Convention or series no.
Author(s) Tak S., Buchholz B., Punnett L., Moir S., Paquet V., Fulmer S., Marucci-Wellman H., Wegman D.
Title Physical ergonomic hazards in highway tunnel construction: Overview from the construction occupational health program
Bibliographic information July 2011, Vol.42, No.5, p.665-671. Illus. 33 ref.
Abstract This report provides an overview of physical ergonomic exposures in highway construction work across trades and major operations. For each operation, the observational method "PATH" (Posture, Activity, Tools and Handling) was used to estimate the percentage of time that workers spent in specific tasks and with exposure to awkward postures and load handling. The observations were carried out on 73 different days, typically for about 4 h per day, covering 120 construction workers in five different trades: labourers, carpenters, ironworkers, plasterers, and tilers. Non-neutral trunk postures (forward or sideways flexion or twisting) were frequently observed, representing over 40% of observations for all trades except labourers (28%). Kneeling and squatting were common in all operations, especially tiling and underground utility relocation work. The handling of loads was frequent, especially for plasterers and tilers, with a range of load weights but most often under 15 pounds. The results of this study provide quantitative evidence that workers in highway tunnel construction operations are exposed to ergonomic factors known to present significant health hazards.
Descriptors (primary) USA; tunnelling; musculoskeletal diseases; work posture; ergonomics; risk factors
Descriptors (secondary) manual handling; tiling; plastering; carpentry; structural steel work; bending posture; kneeling posture; ergonomic evaluation; job study
Document type D - Periodical articles
Subject(s) Construction industry
Ergonomics and work organization
Broad subject area(s) Physiology, ergonomics
Browse category(ies) Construction industry and civil engineering
Ergonomics