An investigation into the ergonomics of the Western Cape construction industry

Abstract

Workers in the construction industry are often exposed to ergonomic challenges. Some of the most unfavourable ergonomic practices include bending and twisting of the body, lifting and handling of heavy materials and equipment. Working above shoulder and head and below the knee levels. Despite provisions made in various legislations about compliance with the health and safety of the construction workforce, many employers still do not comply and are not changing the way construction activities are carried out. It was argued that some of the unfavourable ergonomic challenges such as repetitive and awkward work routines might lead to strains, sprains, musculo-skeletal disorders and carpal tunnel syndrome and that these problems could contribute to absenteeism and reduced site productivity. This study sought to establish the pervasiveness of ergonomic challenges and the extent to which the construction workforce are exposed to these challenges. Empirical studies using the philosophically positivistic paradigm and epistemologically objectivist method of on-site observation of construction workforce activity were conducted on purposively chosen samples of bricklayers, plasterers, painters and their helpers. The purpose remained to count and record body movements of the said workers over 30 minute intervals. Alongside the observations, interviews were conducted to establish what views and perceptions the workmen had with regard to the effect their daily work had on their bodies. The results revealed that the extent and effect of unfavourable ergonomic exposures vary from trade to trade. For instance, bricklayers bent their bodies more than any other worker while plasterers did more work below the knee than their counterparts. In the same vein painters stretched their bodies and worked above their shoulders and heads more than their counterparts. Further extrapolation of the data over the working life of the tradesmen and their helpers exposed the magnitude of the ergonomic exposures and the likely effects that these exposures would have on their bodies and health. For instance, the bricklayer and plasterer would have to bend and twist their bodies a record 5 million times in their 20 year working lives. The painter would be exposed to 3 million and 4 million times respectively of bending and twisting his/her body within the same 20-year period. The main conclusion was that currently construction activity exposes the workforce to unprecedented unfavourable ergonomic practices. The recommendations were that management should take the health and safety of their workforce seriously and that the worker cohort should have direct intervention into the design and implementation of favourable ergonomic work practices at their workface.