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Traumatic injury among drywall installers, 1992 to 1995
1Division of Safety Research, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, W.V. 26505, USA. schiou@cdc.gov
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
|November 30, 2000
Summary
Drywall installers face high risks of overexertion and falls. Injuries often involve sprains, strains, and tears, particularly to the trunk while handling materials like drywall.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Construction Safety
- Injury Epidemiology
Background:
- Drywall installation is a high-risk construction trade.
- Understanding specific occupational injury risks is crucial for prevention.
- Existing databases offer a viable method for risk factor identification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize traumatic injuries among drywall installers.
- To identify specific risk factors for drywaller injuries.
- To demonstrate the utility of existing databases for occupational risk assessment.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of nonfatal traumatic injury data from 1992-1995.
- Utilized the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Injury and Illness Survey.
- Focused on wage-and-salary drywall installers with days away from work.
Main Results:
- Drywall installers exhibit high rates of overexertion and falls to lower levels.
- Sprains, strains, and tears accounted for over 40% of injuries.
- The trunk was the most frequently injured body part, often from handling drywall.
Conclusions:
- Drywall installation presents significant risks of musculoskeletal and fall-related injuries.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics database is a valid tool for identifying occupational injury risks.
- Targeted interventions can be developed based on identified risk factors for drywallers.