

Solution: Half-weight cement bags

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	Risks Addressed:	Lifting cements may require stooping. High compression forces occur in the spine while stooping, and sustained or repeated flexion of the spine may decrease the stability of the lower back. Decreased stability and higher compression forces can lead to injury and low back pain. Further, general lifting can also strain the muscles or sprain the ligaments surrounding the spinal joints in the lower back causing low back pain. Using half-weight cement bags reduces the likelihood of strain and injury.
	How Risks are Reduced:	Half-weight cement bags (less than 51 pounds) reduce the amount lifted by mason tenders in each lift.
	Quality of Evidence (Risk Reduction):	Safety and health experts believe there is a risk reduction.
	Quality of Evidence Explanation (Risk Reduction):	There have not been independent published studies measuring the effect of half-weight cement bags on reducing musculoskeletal disorders. Regardless, safety and health experts believe that masons will be less likely to develop musculoskeletal disorders if the weight of the bags is reduced from 94 lbs to below 50 lbs by using half-weight cement bags on the jobsite. While handling half-weight cement bags, spinal compression would be less compared to handling standard-weight bags. Thus, the risk of low back pain or back injury would be decreased.
	Effects on Productivity:	With the use of half-weight cement bags, mason tenders would probably have to lift twice as many bags. However, lifting half-weight cement bags is less fatiguing and should not slow down productivity. Research in exercise physiology has shown that lifting a weight near a person's maximum lift capability is much more exhausting then lifting even a slightly reduced weight. Exercisers can be expected to perform 12 lift repetitions with a weight that is about 70% of their maximum lift weight. Maximum productivity is likely to be achieved at even lower percentages of maximum lift weight. Productivity gains begin at the point where increase in repetion rate plus reduction in recovery time (both immediate and long term) exceeds time lost to multiple repetitions.
	Quality of Evidence (Effects on Productivity):	Safety and health experts believe there is an increase in productivity.
	Quality of Evidence Explanation (Effects on Productivity):	Safety and health experts believe reducing the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders may lead to increased productivity because: 1) masons can work for longer periods with fewer breaks and less fatigue, and 2) there may be a reduction in lost time injuries.
	Return on Investment:	To calculate the return on investment (ROI) for your specific application, please visit our Return on Investment Calculator. While a specific ROI example has not been developed for this particular solution, the ROI Calculator provides a useful tool and guidance on how to generate your own on investment analysis.
	Availability:	TXI For purchasing information visit http://www.txi.com/ or contact 1-972-647-6700 or CTRMSales@txi.com
	Contributors:	Dan Anton, PT, PhD, ATC – Eastern Washington University, and Carlos Sanchez-Marin, DDS, MS – University of Iowa
	Hazards Addressed:	Masonry, Tile, Cement & Plaster Mix cement, mortar, plaster, or grout Lifting and Carrying (Manual Materials Handling) Pour cement, mortar, plaster, or grout Lifting and Carrying (Manual Materials Handling)
	Sources:	Salem, Sam, Genaidy, Ash, Albers, James, Shell Richard, Sobeih, Tarek, Rinder, Maria. Use and Acceptability of Reduced-Weight Portland Cement Bags in Masonry Construction. An Observational Pilot Study. Prepared by the University of Cincinnati and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.