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A key principle of participatory ergonomics is that workers are the experts in what they do. Therefore, construction workers should be involved in the identification and analysis of hazards in the workplace, and the development of solutions that could reduce these hazards. In contrast, an expert approach to ergonomics makes specialists, such as safety managers or industrial engineers, the primary directors of workplace changes.
In contrast to the expert approach, participatory ergonomics has been adopted by many companies to aid in the control of workplace hazards. Participatory ergonomics has its origins in continuous quality improvement and total quality management approaches. Worker participation emphasizes the particular knowledge workers have of their environment and occupational tasks, and may promote better acceptance of workplace changes among front-line workers.
Participatory Ergonomic Programs often include five overlapping steps: 1) identification of musculoskeletal disorders and workplace hazards that may cause these problems, 2) analysis of workplace hazards, 3) development of solutions to reduce or eliminate hazards, 4) implementation of solutions, and 5) evaluation of the solution's effectiveness. In order to successfully complete all steps, workers may receive training on workplace hazards, musculoskeletal disorders that could be caused by these hazards, and the development of solutions.
Participatory Ergonomic Programs are initially put into operation with the assistance of an occupational safety and health specialist. These specialists provide training and technical expertise, and types of specialists include ergonomists, industrial hygienists, industrial engineers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, occupational medicine physicians, and construction company safety officers. A long-term goal is to develop "in-house expertise" with the specialist only acting as a consultant as needed.
Numerous investigators have reported the benefits of participatory ergonomic programs including reductions in work-related musculoskeletal symptoms; MSD claims rates and claims costs; sick leave and absenteeism; work stress; and exposure to workplace hazards. Participatory ergonomics has also been associated with improvements in worker satisfaction, productivity, product quality, awareness of company goals, and communication. Participatory Ergonomic Programs have been used effectively in several construction environments and have been known to increase morale among workers.
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Injury risk is reduced by increasing management and worker awareness that hazards exist, identifying specific hazards, and creating worker and management commitment to finding and implementing solutions.
Quality of Evidence
- Independent published studies have found a risk reduction.
- Manufacturers, vendors, or worksites have reported a risk reduction.
- Safety and health experts believe there is a risk reduction.
Numerous investigators have reported the benefits of participatory ergonomic programs including reductions in work-related musculoskeletal symptoms; musculoskeletal disorder claims rates and claims costs; work stress; and exposure to workplace hazards.
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Participatory Ergonomic Programs have been shown to improve productivity and product quality.
Quality of Evidence
- Independent published studies have found an increase in productivity.
- Manufacturers or vendors have reported an increase in productivity.
- Safety and health experts believe there is an increase in productivity.
Improvements in productivity associated with participatory ergonomics programs include reductions in sick leave and absenteeism; increased worker satisfaction, productivity, product quality, awareness of company goals, communication. Participatory Ergonomic Programs have been used effectively in several construction environments and have been known to increase morale among workers.
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Occupational health and safety specialists are available to consult throughout the US. Names of specific consultants are available on the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society website.
Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
Thomas Bernard's website has a host of practical ergonomics tools that could be used for a participatory ergonomics program in construction environments.
Analysis Tools for Ergonomists
Occupational safety and health specialists might also be found at state universities, through the workers compensation insurance carrier, or the OSHA program for that state. |
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- Carpentry
- Build or install roof trusses
- Construct formwork for concrete footing and foundations
- Construct parapet walls and guard rails
- Construct suspended ceiling interior systems
- Cut boards and panels to required size
- Erect scaffolding
- Fit and nail exterior walls and roof sheathing
- Frame floors, walls, ceiling, stairs and roofs using wood and/or metal studs
- Inspect and work from scaffolding and pump jacks
- Install and finish flooring
- Install cabinets, countertops and moldings
- Install doors, windows and associated hardware
- Move, shape and place drywall
- Place wood, metal or engineered floor and ceiling beams
- Electrical
- Climb poles and structures
- Cut, shape and place conduit and wire trays
- Install and maintain electrical control system
- Install and maintain motors, pumps, fixtures, lights
- Install and maintain temporary wiring systems on construction sites
- Install and repair high voltage lines, transformers, switches
- Install interior wiring systems
- Lift and carry wire, cables and conduit
- Pull wire through conduits
- Splice and connect wiring systems
- Work access from Aerial Lift, bucket truck, scissor lift, ladder
- Work with or remove old wiring
- Excavation & Demolition
- Chip, break and recycle concrete
- Clear and grub site
- Clear or remove existing utility lines
- Deconstruct building foundations
- Deconstruct superstructures
- Dig and work in trenches or shore grade or step
- Dig site to desired depth and grade
- Excavation
- Identify, control and remove hazardous materials
- Load, transport or unload equipment
- Remove or recycle interior structures, doors and windows
- Remove or recycle mechanical and electrical components
- Rig, load and transport components debris
- Use rock drills and tie-backs
- General Labor
- Clear, prepare and fence construction sites
- Concrete and asphalt paving & patching
- Construct and remove concrete forms (sidewalks)
- Dig trenches, shovel and level ground
- Erect and disassemble scaffolding, shoring, braces temporary structures
- Housekeeping and debris removal or recycling
- Install traffic control markers, barricades and maintain traffic patterns
- Landscaping
- Load, unload and distribute construction materials
- Manual demolition
- Position and join sewer, water and storm drains
- Remove hazardous materials
- Tend concrete mixers, pumps and fire proofing sprayers
- Tend earth boring machines
- Tend pavement cutters and concrete grinders
- Use jackhammers and earth tampers
- Heavy Equipment Operation
- Assemble and disassemble crane
- Construct and refurbish concrete and asphalt roadways
- Demolish and recycle existing structures and mill pavement
- Maintain heavy equipment
- Move equipment to, from and between sites
- Operate cranes and lifts
- Operate earth-moving equipment
- Operate stationary equipment such as rock crushers
- Operate transport equipment
- Operate within traffic zones and work zones
- Rig, load and transport materials and equipment
- Insulation & Lagging
- Access piping in trenches and confined spaces
- Assemble and dismantle scaffolding
- Attach insulation with tape, staples, glue, wire and bands
- Blow and place insulation into walls, ceilings and thermal controlled areas and equipment
- Install and apply fire stop products
- Maintain and remove old insulation including asbestos
- Place finished insulation around duct, pipes, tanks, vessels and mechanical equipment
- Spray and trowel fireproofing onto columns and beams
- Interiors, Drywall & Glass
- Cut and install metal framing for windows and atriums
- Cut, etch and install decorative glass
- Cut, place and install windows, mirrors and protective glass and plastic
- Frame walls using wood studs, metal studs and door bucks
- Install and finish wood flooring
- Install cabinets, countertops, molding and doors
- Install floor coverings, carpet and tile
- Install partitions or cubicles
- Install suspended ceiling systems
- Install terrazzo and polished concrete
- Move and install drywall or panels
- Place and install fixtures and hardware
- Tape, mud and sand drywall
- Use ladders, scaffolds and lifts
- Masonry, Cement & Plaster
- Applying coats of plaster or stucco
- Caulking, sealing and waterproofing installations
- Chipping, scraping and grinding surfaces or joints
- Cleaning and finishing installations
- Cutting bricks, blocks, stone, concrete, tile or terrazzo
- Drilling holes and installing reinforcing rods and anchors
- Erecting and dismantling scaffolding
- Forming, pouring, laying or applying refractory materials
- Jackhammer Use
- Laying or setting brick, block, stone, tile or marble
- Mixing cement, mortar, plaster, or grout
- Operating power vibrator to compact concrete or grout
- Pouring or transporting cement, mortar, plaster, or grout
- Spreading, leveling, and smoothing concrete, mortar or terrazzo mixtures
- Transporting bricks, blocks, stone, tile, terrazzo or marble and riggings
- Paints & Coatings
- Abrasive Blasting
- Apply street markings
- Erect and work from scaffolds, ladder jacks and lifts
- Exterior paint with spray, brush or roller
- Hand tool surface preparation
- Interior paint with spray gun, brush or roller
- Mechanical Surface preparation
- Paint machinery, piping, signs, etc.
- Pressure wash and chemical surface prep and stripping
- Tape and sand wallboard
- Pipes & Vessels
- Assemble pipes, tubing and fittings
- Assemble vessel structures and parts
- Cut and drill holes in structures prior to pipe installation
- Cut, thread, hammer and bend pipes and vessel tubes
- Deburr and grind pipes and vessel tubes
- Dig, grade, level and cover trenches
- Disassemble and remove damaged or worn pipe
- Install bricks and other refractory materials in fireboxes
- Install pipe assemblies, fittings, valves, appliances and fixtures
- Lay and align pipe in trenches
- Mount brackets and hangers on walls and ceilings to hold pipes
- Repair or replace defective vessel parts
- Rigging
- Weld, braze, solder, cut, or gouge pipe sections or vessel parts
- Reinforced Concrete
- Build forms, lay down decking
- Chipping & surface preparation
- Cut or bend rebar
- Finish concrete
- Mixing concrete
- Pour, pump, vibrate concrete
- Remove forms
- Surface grinding or cutting
- Tie or cap rebar
- Unload, store, move, place rebar
- Residential Construction
- Build forms and reinforcing for footings and foundations
- Clear and grade
- Cut boards and panels to required shape and size
- Install and finish flooring
- Install cabinets, countertops, moldings
- Install doors, windows, attic access and associated hardware
- Install electrical
- Install exterior siding
- Install framing and roof trusses
- Install insulation
- Install modular or prefabricated components
- Install plumbing
- Install roof and exterior sheathing and sub-floors
- Install roofing shingles or tiles
- Install wood, metal or engineered floor and ceiling beams
- Lay block or brick
- Move, install and finish drywall
- Paint interior and exterior
- Pour concrete
- Transport materials manually
- Roofing
- Assemble and dismantling scaffolding
- Erect and climb ladders and scaffolds
- Install asphalt roofs
- Install flashing, gutters and downspouts
- Install membrane roofs
- Install roof sheathing
- Install roofing battens and underlayment
- Install tile or shingle roofs
- Remove old roofing materials
- Unload and transport material at ground level and to roofs
- Use roofing cement, tar, or caulk to cover nail holes
- Sheet Metal & HVAC
- Apply caulk, cement and mastic sealants
- Assemble fittings and fasten seams and joints using hand and power tools
- Clean, remove and repair existing ductwork/HVAC
- Install flashing, rain gutters and down spouts
- Install heating and air conditioning duct hangers & ductwork
- Install risers
- Layout, shear, drill and punch holes in metal
- Operate laser cutter and metal shearing machine
- Operate metal press, hand brake and forming machines
- Rig and set HVAC equipment with cranes, helicopters, hoists and lifts
- Shape metal material over anvils, blocks or other forms
- Trim, file, grind, deburr, buff and smooth assembled parts
- Unload and stock metal sheets and coils
- Weld, braze and solder seams and joints
- Structural Steel
- Assemble and disassemble structural members in shop and field
- Build or erect false work
- Dismantle or demolish metal structures
- Drill, grind and saw materials
- Erect and work from scaffolds, ladders and aerial lifts
- Erect stairways, curtain walls, railings etc.
- Hoist and move members and components in shop
- Place and connect structural members
- Unload, assemble, jump and diassemble cranes
- Weld, place or bolt exterior skin
- Weld, plasma cut, air-arc and flame cut metal
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