A field study investigating the effects of a rebar-tying machine on trunk flexion, tool usability and productivity

A field study with a before-and-after experimental design was conducted to evaluate the potential reduction in the risk of musculoskeletal injuries to rodworkers when using an automatic rebar-tying machine. Eleven rodworkers participated in this experiment. All dependent variables (trunk posture, rebar-tying time and responses to a usability questionnaire) were first measured before introducing the rebar-tying machine and then after 3 months of usage all dependent variables were measured again. The results of the study indicated that working with a rebar-tying machine significantly reduced the magnitude, frequency and duration of exposure to awkward trunk posture. Tying time was reduced when participants used the machine. The usability questionnaire indicated that most participants preferred to use the rebar-tying machine for ground-level rebar construction. The field study also revealed that the rebar-tying machine is not limited to the reinforcing trade. The machine can be used for other purposes, such as tying electrical conduit and attaching radiant heat tube to steel mesh. Based on trunk posture exposure, rebar-tying time, usability and transferability, it is concluded that the rebar-tying machine can be an effective tool to reduce the frequency and duration of severe trunk flexion, improve usability and increase productivity among concrete reinforcement workers.