A study was conducted to assess the ergonomic hazards of ironwork job tasks associated with the fabrication of rebar caisson cages, which are stretched out coils of rebar supported along their lengths by straight rebar. For heavy highway construction, observations are stratified by stage and operation using the taxonomy developed specifically for this purpose. Caisson cage construction is defined as a task within the concrete reinforcement operation of highway construction. Using the work-sampling-based job analysis method called PATH (Posture, Activity, Tool, and Handling), quantitative task-based estimates of the percentage of time ironworkers spent in specified postures of the trunk, arms, and legs, as well as loads handled were obtained. A total of 1,467 PATH observations of 10 ironworkers were obtained. The percent of time workers spent in non-neutral postures was: trunk (30%), arms (12%), and legs (49%). Lifting loads greater than 50 N was observed 73% of the times that a manual material activity was coded. It was determined that ironworkers engaged in this task are exposed to significant ergonomic hazards and that opportunities such as per-planning, work organization, work methods, and material handling methods exist for the implementation of ergonomic interventions. Further, this study identified specific activities in rebar caisson cage construction that pose the largest ergonomic hazards thereby providing a sound basis for intervention and control of these hazards.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to identify and use ergonomic assessments tools that are specifically suited to evaluating unstructured types of work environments such as the construction industry
Keywords: Ergonomics, Occupational Exposure
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.