Ergonomic evaluation of masons laying concrete masonry units and autoclaved aerated concrete

Applied Ergonomics
J A HessPeter Wolfe

Abstract

Masons working with concrete masonry unit block have high rates of work-related musculoskeletal disorders to the low back and shoulders associated with repetitively lifting and buttering heavy block. A new material, autoclaved aerated concrete, may reduce the risk of shoulder and back injury but, ergonomic evaluation is needed. This study evaluated shoulder exposure parameters, low back stress, and worker perceptions in two groups of journey level masons, one using CMU and the other using AAC block. Results indicate that for the left arm AAC masons spent significantly more time than CMU masons in static (38.2% versus 31.1%, respectively), and less time in slow motions (48.2% versus 52.2%, respectively) and faster motions (13.6% versus 16.7%, respectively) (p<0.05). CMU masons had significantly greater shoulder and low back pain (p=0.009) and they held block significantly longer than AAC masons (p<0.001). Low back compressive forces were high for both materials. Masons handling AAC demonstrated less left upper extremity stress but both materials were estimated to be hazardous to the low back.

References

Feb 1, 1993·Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health·B StenlundC Hogstedt
May 25, 2002·Ergonomics·Hsin-Chieh Wu, Mao-Jiun J Wang
Feb 13, 2003·American Journal of Clinical Pathology·UNKNOWN Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology
Dec 9, 2003·Ergonomics·Therése MöllerSteve Kihlberg
Sep 27, 2007·Ergonomics·H F Van Der MolenM H W Frings-Dresen

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Citations

Jun 4, 2010·Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene·Jennifer HessLaura Welch
Mar 21, 2016·Applied Ergonomics·Priyadarshini Sengupta DasguptaBryan Buchholz
Oct 5, 2010·American Journal of Industrial Medicine·Julitta S BoschmanMonique H W Frings-Dresen
Jun 17, 2011·The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·Jos H VerbeekEsa-Pekka Takala

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