[Biomechanical overload of the upper limbs and energy expenditure in bricklayers activity]

The work explains the method we used for biomechanical overload risk assessment of upper limbs in construction industry, to make boarding with perforated bricks (preparation of mortar and building materials, construction, plastering) and shows the preliminary results obtained. The activity was observed and analysed through simulations of building site; all tasks were filmed with digital cameras; after we applied OCRA check-list to obtain values of biomechanical overload for upper limbs. We found an high risk of biomechanical overload, due to awkward postures and use of strength, for shoulders, elbows and, in particular, for wrists. This data helped us to understand why we found an high prevalence of wrist-WMSD (such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) in bricklayers evaluated in health surveillance.