An ergonomic characterization of work in concrete form construction

Concrete formwork construction was identified as the area of greatest ergonomic risk in unionized carpentry by both managers and unionized carpenters. Ergonomic risks were identified and characterized using (a) 1220 randomized work samples from videotape, (b) 82 worker discomfort surveys, (c) on-site observation, and (d) labor-management focus group discussions. Results showed that carpenters spent over 40% of the day in a forward torso flexion posture and over one-third of the day working at or below knee level. Hammering was the single most frequently performed activity at approximately 17% of the day. The body location with the highest reported prevalence of symptomatic disorders was the lower back at 48% followed by the forearms/wrist at 37%. It was concluded that carpenters are exposed to significant hazards in formwork construction, and that opportunities exist for the implementation of ergonomic interventions.