Effectiveness of vertical visual reference for reducing postural instability on inclined and compliant surfaces at...

Area of Science:

• Occupational Safety and Health
• Human Factors Engineering
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Falls from elevation are a primary hazard in construction.
• Improving worker balance on sloped and unstable surfaces is crucial for fall prevention.
• Cost-effective technical solutions are needed to mitigate these risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of simple vertical structures as visual cues for improving worker balance.
• To assess how the proximity of these visual cues affects balance performance.
• To provide insights for modifying work environments to enhance safety.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-four construction workers participated in the study.
• Balance was tested on sloped and deformable surfaces at elevation.
• Center-of-pressure data from a force platform measured sway parameters.
• Visual tasks involved vertical structures at varying proximal locations.

Main Results:

• Instability significantly increased on sloped and deformable surfaces at elevation.
• A simple vertical structure (e.g., a bar) acted as an effective visual cue for balance.
• Worker balance improved linearly with the proximity of the visual cue.

Conclusions:

• Simple vertical structures can significantly assist postural balance control in construction workers.
• Visual cues can be strategically placed in elevated work environments to improve safety.
• Findings support modifications to construction procedures and environments to reduce fall hazards.