Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026
07:40
Advanced Workflow for Taking High-Quality Increment Cores - New Techniques and Devices
Published on: March 10, 2023
DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF A NEW DEVICE FOR OVERHEAD DRILLING
Professional Safety
|December 17, 2008
Summary
New tools reduce arm fatigue for construction workers performing overhead drilling, a task linked to musculoskeletal disorders. Field testing with experienced workers proved vital for developing safer, more usable equipment.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Ergonomics
- Construction Engineering
Background:
- Overhead drilling in concrete is a physically demanding construction task.
- This activity frequently leads to musculoskeletal disorders affecting the shoulder, arm, neck, and back.
- Workers in trades like electrical, pipe fitting, and carpentry commonly perform this task.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate alternative devices for overhead drilling.
- The goal was to reduce high shoulder loads and associated physical strain.
- To improve the safety and usability of tools for construction workers.
Main Methods:
- Alternative drilling devices were designed based on site-developed interventions.
- Two rounds of usability, productivity, and fatigue testing were conducted with 30 construction workers.
- Device designs were iteratively modified based on worker feedback and field testing.
Main Results:
- The final alternative device design significantly reduced arm fatigue.
- Productivity using the new devices was comparable to the traditional overhead drilling method.
- Worker feedback and field testing were crucial for successful design refinement.
Conclusions:
- Iterative field testing and redesign involving experienced construction workers are essential for developing safer and more usable tools.
- Alternative devices can effectively mitigate physical strain during overhead drilling tasks.
- Collaboration with end-users ensures new tools are compatible with and beneficial to existing work practices.
