Improved ergonomics on the work site can reduce days lost to injury

‘Musculoskeletal Disorder’ is a fancy way of saying an injury from twisting, bending and lifting. A study conducted by The Center for Construction Research and Training in Silver Spring, MD, published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, observed that although WMSD’s (work-related musculoskeletal disorders) dropped in number from 1992 to 2014 as part of overall workplace trends, the construction industry maintained a much higher than average injury rate than all other occupations examined.

Older workers are at the highest risk
“The median days away from work increased from eight days in 1992 to 13 days in 2014, and the proportion of WMSDs for construction workers aged 55 to 64 years almost doubled,” says the study. “The major cause of WMSDs in construction was overexertion, and back injuries accounted for more than 40 per cent of WMSDs among construction workers. The estimated wage loss for private wage-and-salary construction workers was $46 million in 2014.”

Days lost to injury have costs that are not borne by the worker alone. When key trades are absent from the site while in recovery, jobs can slow down, adding to project costs for the contractor. Therefore it’s in everyone’s interest to both recognize and mitigate those losses by being more proactive with prevention and education.

The answer is improved ergonomics

Improved ergonomics allows DeWalt’s new Ergo Snips (left) to reduce muscle strain by 15 per cent by having a narrower starting opening position versus other brands (right). Yet they cut the same amount of material per squeeze.

The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration offers number of recommendations that can help reduce WSMD’s by improving work site ergonomics. “Simply put, ergonomics is fitting the task to the person,” they say. “Too often employees perform job tasks that expose them to potential injuries and illnesses due to the poor design of a workstation or tool they are using. Ergonomics involves the assessment of job tasks to identify ergonomic risk factors and appropriate engineering or work practice controls to reduce or eliminate the identified risk factors. Generally, ergonomic changes are made to improve the fit between the demands of the job tasks and the capabilities of the employees.”

The Michigan authority lists a number of major risk factors that should be addressed on the job site, including;
1. Repetition. Doing one task over and over
2. Posture. The body position of the worker
3. Vibration from high powered tools and equipment
4. Sustained exertion such as repeated heavy lifting

The Three “E’s”: Engagement, Education and Ergonomics

The DeWalt Carbon Fiber Composite Hammer Tacker features a lightweight carbon fiber composite structure that weighs 45 per cent less, reduces vibration levels by 45 per cent and muscle effort by 25 per cent allowing you to work longer with less fatigue

In terms of active solutions, the obvious first step is recognition that there is a problem and getting management and workers communicating together to find solutions. One such result might be the purchase of tools and equipment that reduce stress and strain. As an example, DeWalt recently announced a partnership with U.S. Ergonomics to redesign many products in their hand and tool product line specifically to make them easier to use over longer periods and in repetitive situations.

Other ideas that can be easily incorporated into the work site include: redesigning workstations, using a buddy system to handle heavy loads, purchasing lifting equipment, reducing tasks that must be performed by workers on their knees or at least encouraging the use of knee pads, adjusting scaffolds to reduce stretching for overhead work, wearing gloves when using vibrating tools, and rotating jobs amongst workers to reduce repetition.

Musculoskeletal injuries can creep up on workers over a period of time. Education and training play an important role in being able to recognise the symptoms before they result in costly time lost.

For immediate notification about our newest posts (almost daily)…….. 

follow John on Instagram
john.canadiancontractor_    (& remember the _)        

   follow John on Twitter
@john_bleasby