An Ergonomic Evaluation of a Drywall Board Transport Handle: Single-Person Transport Task

1996 ◽  
Vol 40 (13) ◽  
pp. 693-697
Author(s):  
Mark A. Stuart ◽  
Kerith K. Zellers
Keyword(s):  
Task Performance ◽  
Construction Workers ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Single Person ◽  
Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Drywall Installation ◽  
Performance Times ◽  
Subjective Reports ◽  
And Task

The objective of this study was to determine how the use of a drywall board transport-handle affects physical stress on the human body, subjective reports of pain, discomfort, and physical exhaustion, and task performance compared to a no transport-handle condition. Eight construction workers lifted and transported 20 drywall boards in a simulated single-person construction task. Results indicated that there were no significant differences between the two board transport conditions on any of the subjective and physical data collected. Average task performance times were slower for the handle-use condition (232 seconds compared to 207 seconds), but this difference was not statistically significant. A serious shortcoming of the transport handle evaluated in this study is that it does not eliminate the major risk factors associated with drywall installation: frequent lifting and carrying of very heavy objects, and awkward postures of numerous types. Drywall installers' work-related musculoskeletal disorders will likely continue as long as commercial construction continues to require single-person board lifting and transporting and as long as the boards stay as large and heavy as they are currently.

scholarly journals Quantitative Measures of Physical Risk Factors Associated with Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Elbow: A Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 130 ◽  
Author(s):  
David H. Seidel ◽  
Dirk M. Ditchen ◽  
Ulrike M. Hoehne-Hückstädt ◽  
Monika A. Rieger ◽  
Benjamin Steinhilber
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Physical Risk ◽  
Physical Risk Factors

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders at the elbow are a common health problem, which highly impacts workers’ well-being and performance. Besides existing qualitative information, there is a clear lack of quantitative information of physical risk factors associated with specific disorders at the elbow (SDEs). Objective: To provide evidence-based quantitative measures of physical risk factors associated with SDEs. Methods: Studies were searched from 2007 to 2017 in Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Work. The identified risk factors were grouped in main- and sub-categories of exposure using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework for rating evidence. Results: 133 different risk-factor specifications were identified in 10/524 articles and were grouped into 5 main- and 16 sub-categories of exposure. The risk factors were significantly associated with lateral epicondylitis, medial epicondylitis, or ulnar neuropathy. Significant risk factors such as wrist angular velocity (5°/s, with increasing prevalence ratio of 0.10%/(°/s), or forearm supination (≥45° and ≥5% of time combined with forceful lifting) were found. Conclusions: This review delivers a categorization of work-related physical risk-factor specifications for SDEs with a special focus on quantitative measures, ranked for evidence. These results may build the base for developing risk assessment methods and prospective preventive measures.

scholarly journals Construction Activities as Onset for Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Construction Workers: Contractor’s Perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (Issue 1) ◽  
Author(s):  
O.O Ajayi
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Construction Workers ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorder ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Range Test

The study assesses the impact of construction activities as a contributor for the onset of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in construction workers. There is high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMDs) which are associated with various construction actions. The paper identified nineteen various actions pertaining to unfavourable ergonomic practice as it results in the identified WMDs. A total of 140 copies of questionnaire were administered on randomly selected contractors out of which 83 was retrieved and found valid for this study and this constituted 59.3% of the sample size. The various activities were measured on a five-point Likert scale. Based on the percentage responses on a scale 1(minor) to 5(major) the overall mean scores were calculated. The actions were further subjected to Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) with performance (P) at 0.05 level of confidence to measure the significance difference in the rate of occurrence of various activities for the onset of WMDs. It was observed from the analysis that the actions are challenges to the construction industry as it results in WMDs which affects the productivity of workers and promote early retirement of construction workers. The study concluded that there is significant difference in the rate of occurrence of various actions as they result in WMDs. The study therefore recommends the need for awareness and amplifies the value of improving knowledge for ergonomics in construction and promotes the concept of design for construction ergonomics.

Emotional intelligence and job performance: the role of psychological well-being

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 428-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dwayne Devonish
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Job Performance ◽  
Task Performance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Multiple Mediation ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Related ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
And Task

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to test the mediating roles of two dimensions of psychological well-being (job satisfaction and work-related depression) in the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and task performance, individual-targeted citizenship behaviours (OCB-I) and organisation-targeted citizenship behaviours (OCB-O). Design/methodology/approach This survey study of 262 employees in a small island territory in the Caribbean captured data on EI, psychological well-being and various dimensions of job performance. Multiple mediation hypotheses were tested using the 95 per cent bootstrapping confidence interval (CI) estimation approach. Findings The results revealed that job satisfaction and work-related depression mediated the relationship between EI and task performance; and the relationship between EI and OCB-O, but only work-related depression mediated the relationship between EI and OCB-I. Research limitations/implications The study utilised a cross-sectional study design and self-reported measures but still presented significant implications for existing and future theoretical models of EI and job performance. Practical implications Organisations should seek to develop high levels of EI in their employees as a means of improving their overall psychological health and well-being and performance behaviours at work. Originality/value The study examines multiple mediation of various psychological well-being dimensions in the EI-job performance relationship using the 95 per cent bootstrapping CI approach.

scholarly journals Work-based identity and work engagement as potential antecedents of task performance and turnover intention: Unravelling a complex relationship

2012 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Chris Bothma ◽  
Gert Roodt
Keyword(s):  
Identity Formation ◽  
Task Performance ◽  
Work Engagement ◽  
Turnover Intention ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Maslach Burnout Inventory ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Leading Role ◽  
Helping Behaviour ◽  
And Task

Orientation: Work-based identity, used as a reference to the self, is the answer to the question ’Who am I at work?’ Work-related identities, derived from different social foci through identity formation processes, have as behavioural guides a significant influence on employee behaviour, which, in turn has an impact on work outcomes. Engagement, presented in different conceptualisations, is viewed by practitioners and academic researchers as an important antecedent of employee behaviour.Research purpose: The main purpose of the study was to investigate whether work-based identity and work engagement differed (in combination with personal alienation, helping behaviour and burnout) as potential antecedents (amongst numerous others) of task performance and turnover intention.Research design: A census-based sampling approach amongst 23 134 employees in the employment of an ICT company yielded a sample of 2429 usable questionnaires. Scales used in the study were the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-HSS-20), Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), Work-based Identity, Personal Alienation, Helping Behaviour, Turnover Intention and Task Performance Scales.Main findings: The findings indicate that work-based identity and work engagement give similar appearing results as potential predictors of turnover intention and task performance. Practical/managerial implications: Reducing withdrawal behaviours and enhancing work performance are everyday challenges for organisations. Interventions focused on enhancing work-based identity and work engagement in the work environment should have a meaningful impact when these behaviours need to be addressed.Contribution/value-add: Work-based identity as a multidimensional construct has the potential, with further refinement, to become a valuable construct that can play a leading role in future work engagement research.

Ergonomic Evaluation of California Winegrape Trellis Systems

2002 ◽  
Vol 46 (13) ◽  
pp. 1162-1166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew E. Kato ◽  
Fadi A. Fathallah
Keyword(s):  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Musculoskeletal Injuries ◽  
The Other ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Lower Back ◽  
Worker Health ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Physically Demanding Work

The winegrape industry suffers from high incidence rates of work related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Pruning of dormant vines requires long periods of highly repetitive and physically demanding work that increases risk for MSDs. The purpose of this study is to quantify risk factors associated with the development of musculoskeletal injuries to the wrist and lower back while pruning five commonly used winegrape trellis systems. Eleven subjects (10 male, 1 female) participated in this study. Subjects performed a simulated pruning task as wrist and trunk postures and psychophysical data were gathered. The results showed significant differences among the trellis systems. Compared to the other systems, the vertical shoot positioned (VSP) was determined to be most optimal in terms of decreasing relative MSD risk. These results will assist vineyards in selecting suitable trellis systems that may improve worker health.

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