Ergonomics and construction: a review of potential hazards in new construction

This article reviews potential ergonomic hazards in new construction work, summarizing findings from published literature and from a 15-month investigation of health hazards on a new construction site in suburban Washington, D.C. The review is structured to follow the sequence of events in the construction process. Ergonomic solutions are included where they have been developed. Highway work and renovation and demolition of existing structures, the segments of construction that are growing, are not discussed here. However, many of the same problems and principles apply to other sectors of construction.