If you've seen one construction worksite stretch and flex program … you've seen one construction worksite stretch and...

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Ergonomics
• Construction Safety

Background:

• Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD) constitute a significant portion of injuries in the U.S. construction industry.
• Many construction companies implement stretch and flex (s/f) programs to mitigate WMSDs, despite a lack of robust scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate employer motivations for continuing to invest in s/f programs.
• To document the variability in s/f program structures.
• To identify the actual and perceived benefits of s/f programs.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods study combining interviews with safety and health professionals and an online survey.
• Data collection from 19 professionals via interviews and 133 via survey (13.3% response rate).

Main Results:

• 56% of companies implemented s/f programs primarily to reduce WMSDs, but most did not track goal achievement.
• Program structures varied significantly in duration, frequency, and type of exercises.
• While attendance was often mandated, participation was not, primarily due to liability concerns.
• Cost influenced initial implementation but not program continuation.
• Many companies also initiated daily safety huddles, reporting increased worker camaraderie, communication, and collaboration, with some attributing WMSD reduction to these combined efforts rather than s/f alone.

Conclusions:

• Construction companies persist with s/f programs for WMSD reduction despite minimal scientific validation.
• The implementation of s/f programs has indirectly led to the adoption of daily safety huddles, enhancing team dynamics.
• While direct WMSD reduction linkage is weak, the ancillary benefits of camaraderie and communication may justify the resources invested in s/f programs as part of a comprehensive ergonomics strategy.