Avoiding Ergonomic Injury in Construction.

I like to think that my greatest weakness has become my strength.

I started working construction in 1992. Methods for keeping yourself safe?

After my lower back surgery, I continue to have severe nerve pain, but I managed to always get a call to come to work, because I "worked like a horse," my supervisors would say.

I was never graded on my safety performance. Like most, my name was made from hard work.

Construction worker ergonomics remains an overlooked OSH issue still today. Having observed countless workflows and workers in task, I can find many back and body destroying actions each and everyday. After suffering from injury do to poor ergonomics, I have studied and work to make myself an expert in identifying and correcting poor ergonomics in the field.

I would like to share one of my many articles on the subject.

Avoiding Ergonomic Injury in Construction

Ergonomic working habits that can lead to painful injury later in life

?Mike Long

? Copyright 2022 - All rights reserved.

Introduction

Imagine this: You are at one of your sites, lifting enormous weights or using high-powered tools whose vibrations shock you to your core. Such instances happen repetitively that you become used to the sensations, shrugging-off the discomfort. You feel a twinge in your hands or your lower back, but you disregard it, thinking that it is not anything of concern. Yet, that twinge can turn into something wholly detrimental to your physical wellbeing, possibly leading to debilitating injuries causing you to be unable to function as you once did. Circumstances such as these are prevalent amongst the working-class, specifically within the construction industry. As someone who has undergone surgery for my lower back due to disregarding the blaring red warning signs, it is imperative to inform others in similar situations to become aware of ergonomic working habits that can lead to painful injuries later in life. That begs the question: What, exactly, are ergonomic injuries?

DORN gives an excellent definition: “Ergonomic injuries refer to injuries that are the results of a person's posture, muscle exertions, etc., in contrast with the setup of their working environment and the equipment used” (Lombardo, 2019). The Occupational Safety and Health Administration as well as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health refer to ergonomic injuries as Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs), as the symptoms target this particular body system. Those in the construction industry are often victims of ergonomic injuries as their working environments tend to put excessive stress on their bodies. Ergonomic injuries range from lower back pains to carpal tunnel syndrome and epicondylitis.

In order to spread awareness regarding ergonomic injuries affecting construction professionals, we will be discussing the injuries more in-depth, and providing the best methods to prevent or reduce those occurrences.

Chapter 1: Ergonomic Do’s and Don’ts

It is imperative to note the warning signs of potentially hazardous working-environment injuries that become debilitating further in life. While wear-and-tears are commonplace as you age, much like in sporting activities, the equipment used in the construction industry does tend to exacerbate the injuries caused by other factors, as does the overall working conditions. The warning signs may be unerringly unavoidable that you take immediate action–or they could be so nuanced that you disregard them completely. Thus, it is critical to identify these signs before they become an issue that is difficult to treat or prevent. Some of these cautionary signs may hit a bit close to home, so take note and allow yourselves some moments of introspection to see just how many of these issues you are presently encountering.

Work Patterns You Need to Avoid

One of the operational patterns to avoid is frequent lifting and moving of heavy objects. Prolonged sessions of doing this may expedite the risk potential of lower back pain, an increasingly common ergonomic work injury. Such occurrences augment risk when said routine lifting goes unassisted and undue pressure is added to a singular person. The strain from manual lifting can cause ruptured ligaments, torn muscles, and wear-and-tear on the skeletal system. In addition to this, incorrect form while lifting also aggravates instances of lower back pain and other health concerns associated with it. Erroneous posture, especially held for two or more hours, can lead to issues that affect more than just the lower lumbar region: It leads to pain and discomfort in the knees, the pelvic area, the shoulders, and your wrists, the latter of which can cause carpal tunnel syndrome, another debilitating injury that can affect simple tasks such as picking up pens and writing.

Another work pattern to avoid is the repetitive oscillation from cold-to-hot temperatures and vice versa. While this does not have a physical sign, it is especially harmful to those with chronic cold-related illnesses. As the body is forcefully moved from one extreme temperature range to another, it overcompensates to regulate the body to its optimal temperature range. Doing so can have varying repercussions: The drastic temperature change can remove the moisture from the skin, leaving it vulnerable to bacterial infections, viruses, and drying the mucus membrane, causing the reduction of the filtration of harmful pathogens. In serious cases, temperature fluctuations could result in damaging implications for the circulatory system and its functions. As such, the implications of ergonomic injuries are both internal and external. With this in mind, how do we go about preventing these occurrences?

Prevention is Better than Cure–How to Avoid Ergonomic Injuries

As the age-old proverb goes “prevention is better than cure”. Such a statement is also applicable when considering how to prevent injuries caused by workplace patterns; it is better to prevent these from occurring rather than spending thousands of dollars on doctor visits, medications, and follow-ups. Why spend so much money when you can avoid these situations, especially in light of the economic climate? Here are a few preventative measures construction professionals can use to avoid ergonomic injuries.

●??????To avoid working in awkward positions and having incorrect posture, various machines are specially designed for workers who frequently kneel and stoop to complete their assigned tasks. For example, motorized screeds were designed to eliminate repetitive kneeling and movements when workers need to level concrete on the work surface. Another excellent tool for preventing incorrect posture and strain on the skeletal system is the implementation of kneeling creepers with cushioned support. These reduce the stress placed on the chest and knees during the installation of tiles.

●??????Professionals can use mechanical lifts. Lifts aid in the reduction of the strain of reaching overhead. It assists by holding the object still, which allows for improved flexibility and reduced strain on the worker's hand. (Safeopedia, 2021).

The Fixer-Up: What to do when You can’t Avoid Injuries

Despite our best attempts to prevent ergonomic injuries, they can be inevitable in the long run. In-light of this, we can try to reduce unnecessary strain on our bodies and find ways to work safely.

●??????Stretch every so often, which is helpful for removing knots and kinks that can form due to fixed positioning.

●??????If you can, use low vibration tools to reduce shock or use anti-vibration gloves.

●??????Use tools that conform to the shape of your hands, especially ones that require gripping for long periods

It is imperative that we do our utmost best to reduce any strain and complications that arise in our professional career, as it will only benefit us in the long run.

References

Ban Matei, K. (2021, May 5). Construction Ergonomics: Major Risks and How to Control for. Safeopedia.com. https://www.safeopedia.com/construction-ergonomics-major-risks-and-how-to-control-for-them/2/8534

Lombardo, K. (2021, April 29). The 5 Most Common Ergonomic Injuries. DORN. https://dorncompanies.com/the-5-most-common-ergonomic-injuries/#:~:text=What%20is%20an%20ergonomic%20injury

Mohan, S.B. (2018). Identifying and Controlling Ergonomic Risk Factors in Construction. Journal?????????of Ergonomics, 08(04). https://doi.org/10.4172/2165-7556.1000235

Safeopedia. (2019, March 25). What is an Ergonomic Injury? - Definition from Safeopedia.Safeopedia.com. https://www.safeopedia.com/definition/6681/ergonomic-injury

United States Department of Labor. (2004). Ergonomics - Overview | Occupational Safety and????????Health Administration.Www.osha.gov. https://www.osha.gov/ergonomics

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