A participatory ergonomics intervention to reduce risk factors for low-back disorders in concrete laborers

Applied Ergonomics
Jennifer A HessMindy Lunger

Abstract

Construction laborers rank high among occupational groups with work-related musculoskeletal injuries involving time way from work. The goals of this project were to: (1) introduce an ergonomic innovation to decrease the risk of low-back disorder (LBD) group membership, (2) quantitatively assess exposure, and (3) apply a participatory intervention approach in construction. Laborers manually moving a hose delivering concrete to a placement site were evaluated. The hypothesis tested was that skid plates would prevent hose joints from catching on rebar matting, and the hose would slide more easily. This would decrease the need for repetitive bending and use of excessive force. Four laborers were evaluated wearing the Lumbar Motion Monitor (LMM), a tri-axial electrogoniometer that records position, velocity and acceleration. Workers were measured during three comparable concrete pours. Worker perceptions of the innovation utility and exertion were surveyed. During initial use of skid plates, flexion increased significantly (p < 0.001) while velocity, acceleration and moments did not change. After implementing a worker modification, low back velocity, acceleration and moments were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). Reductions in these...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jul 29, 2008·The Annals of Occupational Hygiene·Anita Pettersson-StrömbäckBengt Järvholm
Dec 1, 2007·Home Healthcare Nurse·Jennifer A HessDavid S Mandeville
Apr 13, 2007·International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health·Marc G WeinsteinLaurel Kincl
Sep 6, 2013·American Journal of Industrial Medicine·Lisa JaegersBradley Evanoff
Jan 23, 2016·American Journal of Industrial Medicine·Gavin H WestLaura S Welch
Mar 21, 2016·Applied Ergonomics·Priyadarshini Sengupta DasguptaBryan Buchholz
Sep 8, 2009·Applied Ergonomics·Jennifer A HessKermit Davis
Sep 28, 2015·Work : a Journal of Prevention, Assessment, and Rehabilitation·Aidé Maldonado-MacíasJorge García-Alcaraz
Feb 8, 2005·Applied Ergonomics·Allard J van der BeekAlex Burdorf
May 17, 2005·Applied Ergonomics·P D BustR A Haslam
Apr 21, 2016·American Journal of Industrial Medicine·Ann Marie DaleBradley A Evanoff
Sep 29, 2012·Safety and Health at Work·Peter HasleMari-Ann Flyvholm
Mar 12, 2019·Work : a Journal of Prevention, Assessment, and Rehabilitation·Mohammad HajaghazadehIraj Mohebbi
Feb 15, 2017·American Journal of Industrial Medicine·Ann Marie DaleBradley A Evanoff
Oct 28, 2018·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Susan E PetersJack T Dennerlein

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