Construction

As recently as the late 1990s, work in the construction industry was physically straining and work organisation and working methods were traditional. The use of specialised trades to improve performance had resulted in a division of work with jobs tending to be both monotonous and repetitive. The introduction of mechanisation had reduced some of the physical strain but at the same time reducing the variety of the tasks making repetitive strain injuries a more likely hazard. Work was often carried out with workers being exposed to the elements with detrimental consequences for their musculoskeletal and respiratory systems. Poor management of walkways on construction sites also meant that with exposure to rain they turned to mud making work more difficult.

With the cost of labour forming a large percentage of the cost of most buildings, cost-cutting companies look to the workforce to increased productivity. This adds to the pressure on workers of what is already a dirty, demanding and dangerous occupation. Many workers report that they continue to work whilst hurt and subsequently a great many construction workers are unable to carry out any form of work after they reach 55. Construction workers are less likely than workers in other industries, to encourage young people to enter the industry. Young people are also put off by the demands of the work. This has led to skills shortages in construction and efforts are being made by the industry to improve conditions in order to attract young people and at the same time enable older workers to work longer.

Ergonomic problems in the construction industry include: working in the same position for long periods of time; the lifting and carrying of heavy loads; working below knee level and above shoulder height; awkward bending and twisting of the back and tasks which require repetitive motions. These problems are further exacerbated by the environment in which they are carried out. Poor housekeeping on construction sites increases the risk of slips and trips. Noise is a serious threat with many older workers suffering from hearing loss. The materials and equipment used also tend to create dust which can lead to a variety of health complications. And as buildings rise out of the ground there is always a risk that workers may fall from a height or will be struck by falling objects.

Workers who are attracted to the construction industry derive some satisfaction from being part of the construction process. Work stress has not been reported as a severe problem in most construction trades although site managers are an exception. Over the past decade progress has been made the assessment of construction risks and measures to reduce or eliminate them which has made working in the construction industry considerably less arduous.

Good ergonomics in the construction industry can be achieved with simple inexpensive solutions. Planning of work to minimise manual handling, the storing of materials more accessibly and ensuring that walkways are kept clear are good examples. Choosing equipment to include ergonomically designed tools, the use of carts and hoists to move materials instead of manual handling, using handles when carrying loads and kneepads to reduce contact stresses of kneeling at work can also make a difference. Add to this cooperation amongst workers so that they ask for help when lifting heavy loads, specifying lighter loads and training workers and foremen to identify ergonomic risk factors, and you can see why many companies are beginning to look at ergonomic problems and work solutions as a business case. Make work easier for workers, get them to work smarter and not harder and you end up with a more productive job.

Despite conditions in the construction industry, it's surprising that attention to it by ergonomists and health and safety specialists has been poor compared to other industries. Where organisations have decided to adopt systematic ergonomics approaches to solve problems in the construction industry, major improvements have been possible. Using a participatory approach, involving experienced construction workers in the development of ergonomic solutions, should lead to effective change within the industry. But care must be taken when introducing new methods and technology to reduce traditional hazards that new hazards don't appear.

Major construction companies today, on the whole, have effective management for safety. This tends to decrease as the size of the organisation decreases. The management of occupational health has tended to lag behind that of safety. Initiatives such as 'Constructing Better Health' have had a positive impact on the construction industry's approach to occupational health. Standards for occupational health providers wishing to work in the construction industry have been set, which it's hoped will reduce the number of providers attracted to the industry who understand occupational health but do not understand the construction industry. It is also hoped that, like in many projects around the world, ergonomists can work as a catalyst to change.

Text by Phil Bust