scholarly journals SELF-COMPACTING CONCRETE USE FOR CONSTRUCTION WORK ENVIRONMENT SUSTAINABILITY

2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 724-734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Romuald Rwamamara ◽  
Peter Simonsson
Keyword(s):  
Work Environment ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Musculoskeletal Injury ◽  
Construction Work ◽  
Casting Method ◽  
Self Compacting Concrete ◽  
Work Activity ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Work Tasks ◽  
Concrete Casting

Many of those working on construction sites are exposed to demanding work loads; construction workers lift and carry heavy materials and work in awkward postures. Occupational injuries and accidents due to poor ergonomics are more common in the construction industry and many times lead to human tragedies, disrupt construction processes and adversely affect the cost, productivity, and the reputation of the construction industry. In Sweden, it is reported that concrete workers have the highest relative work-related musculoskeletal injury frequency. Therefore, the use of ergonomic production methods to prevent this can have a significant human, social and financial impact. Research introduced here presents a case study of comparative analyses of ergonomic situations for concrete workers performing concrete casting processes. Three different ergonomic risk assessment methods were used to assess the physical strain, hand-arm vibration and noise affects risks involved in concrete casting work tasks. The combination of technical and managerial factors results in a system where workers are as efficient and safe as possible during their work tasks, and thus, makes the construction work environment sustainable. The aim of our research is to find practical methods to evaluate and compare two different concrete casting methods from an ergonomic perspective. The focus is on the production of cast-in-place concrete bridge constructions where the traditional concrete casting method is compared with the SCC (Self-Compacting concrete) casting method. To be able to identify work-related musculoskeletal injury risks due to concrete casting work tasks, QEC (Quick Exposure Check for musculoskeletal risks), PLIBEL (Checklist for identification for Ergonomics Hazards) and ErgoSAM (Ergonomic production technology method) methods were used. Ergonomic risks analysis methods QEC, PLIBEL and ErgoSAM have all shown capabilities to evaluate construction work activities and thus determine whether a construction work activity constitutes a musculoskeletal risk to the worker or not before any ergonomic intervention is introduced. As a result the present ergonomic risks emanating from work methods used in the traditional concrete placing can be significantly reduced with the use of self-compacting concrete (SCC) that eliminates awkward work postures, noise and hand arm vibration, thereby reducing if not eliminating musculoskeletal injuries among concrete workers during their concrete casting work tasks.

scholarly journals The Effects of Upper-Body Exoskeletons on Human Metabolic Cost and Thermal Response during Work Tasks—A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (20) ◽  
pp. 7374
Author(s):  
Simona Del Ferraro ◽  
Tiziana Falcone ◽  
Alberto Ranavolo ◽  
Vincenzo Molinaro
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Thermal Response ◽  
Preliminary Finding ◽  
Metabolic Cost ◽  
Statistical Correlation ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Work Activity ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Work Tasks

Background: New wearable assistive devices (exoskeletons) have been developed for assisting people during work activity or rehabilitation. Although exoskeletons have been introduced into different occupational fields in an attempt to reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, the effectiveness of their use in workplaces still needs to be investigated. This systematic review focused on the effects of upper-body exoskeletons (UBEs) on human metabolic cost and thermophysiological response during upper-body work tasks. Methods: articles published until 22 September 2020 were selected from Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed for eligibility and the potential risk of bias was assessed. Results: Nine articles resulted in being eligible for the metabolic aspects, and none for the thermal analysis. All the studies were based on comparisons between conditions with and without exoskeletons and considered a total of 94 participants (mainly males) performing tasks involving the trunk or overhead work, 7 back-support exoskeletons, and 1 upper-limb support exoskeleton. Eight studies found a significant reduction in the mean values of the metabolic or cardiorespiratory parameters considered and one found no differences. Conclusions: The reduction found represents a preliminary finding that needs to be confirmed in a wider range of conditions, especially in workplaces, where work tasks show different characteristics and durations compared to those simulated in the laboratory. Future developments should investigate the dependence of metabolic cost on specific UBE design approaches during tasks involving the trunk and the possible statistical correlation between the metabolic cost and the surface ElectroMyoGraphy (sEMG) parameters. Finally, it could be interesting to investigate the effect of exoskeletons on the human thermophysiological response.

scholarly journals When is work a cause of early retirement and are there any effective organizational measures to combat this? A population-based study of perceived work environment and work-related disorders among employees in Sweden

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerstin Nilsson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Environmental Management ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Working Life ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Swedish Population ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Environmental Controls ◽  
Work Tasks

Abstract Background: The ageing workforce has an impact on public health. The aim of this study was to evaluate work-related disorders, work tasks and measures associated with the possibility of working beyond 65 years of age or not. Method: The data comprised two sample surveys based on the Swedish population: the Survey of National Work-Related Health Disorders, and the National Work Environment Survey. Results: A logistic regression analysis showed that an active systematic work environmental management in the workplace was a statistically significant association with whether individuals could work in their current occupation until 65 years of age (OR 1.7). The final multivariate model stated that whether individuals could work until 65 years was associated with bodily exhaustion after work, frequent feeling of the own work effort being insufficient at the end of the day, experience of the work as restricted and with a lack of freedom, working alone and at risk of unsafe or threatening situations, and generally feeling dissatisfied with the work tasks. Women-dominated workplaces were more highly associated with both male and female employees not being able to work until age 65 (OR 1.6). Conclusion: Deficiencies in the working environment seems to be a threat to the public health. An active systematic work environmental management in the workplace increases the possibility to extend the working life. Tools for managers, like the swAge-model, to easily perform active systematic work environmental controls could therefore be a possible way to decrease the risk of work injury as well as increase the possibility for a sustainable extended working life.

scholarly journals Identifying Actions to Control and Mitigate the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Construction Organizations: Preliminary Findings

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-55
Author(s):  
Mohammad Raoufi ◽  
Aminah Robinson Fayek
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Construction Work ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Operational Strategies ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Construction Organizations

Construction organizations face many challenges in coping with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and the construction work environment. Although each organization is implementing its own strategies to mitigate this pandemic’s impact on operations and workers, the construction industry as a whole urgently needs to identify the most effective strategies for mitigating the effects of COVID-19 on its operations in the short term while preparing response plans and long-term recovery plans. This article presents preliminary findings of a survey conducted with construction organizations primarily in North America to identify and assess mitigation actions taken. Recommendations based on these findings are provided to help construction organizations during this pandemic. The results of this study will help in developing evidence-based operational strategies to identify new modes of operating for construction organizations during both the current pandemic and any future pandemics.

scholarly journals The Epidemiology, Cost, and Occupational Context of Spinal Injuries Sustained While ‘Working for Income’ in NSW: A Record-Linkage Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 2121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Sharwood ◽  
Holger Mueller ◽  
Rebecca Ivers ◽  
Bharat Vaikuntam ◽  
Tim Driscoll ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Record Linkage ◽  
Spinal Injury ◽  
Linkage Study ◽  
Spinal Injuries ◽  
Specific Work ◽  
Work Activity ◽  
Prevention Policies ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Epidemiological Characteristics

This study aimed to describe the epidemiological characteristics, the occupational context, and the cost of hospitalised work-related traumatic spinal injuries, across New South Wales, Australia. A record-linkage study of hospitalised cases of work-related spinal injury (ICD10-AM code U73.0 or workers compensation) was conducted. Study period 2013–2016. Eight hundred and twenty-four individuals sustained work-related spinal injuries; 86.2% of whom were males and had a mean age of 46.6 years. Falls led to 50% of the injuries; predominantly falls from building/structures, ladders or between levels. Falls occurred predominantly in the construction industry (78%). Transport crashes caused 31% of injuries and 24% in heavy vehicles. Half of all the transport injuries occurred ‘off road’. The external cause was coded as ‘non-specific work activity’ in 44.5% of cases; missing in 11.5%. Acute care bed days numbered at 13,302; total cost $19,500,000. High numbers of work-related spinal injuries occurred in the construction industry; particularly falling from a height. Off-road transport-related injuries were significant and likely unaddressed by ‘on-road’ prevention policies. Medical record documentation was insufficient in injury mechanism and context specificity. Workers in the construction industry or those using vehicles off-road were at high risk of spinal injury, suggesting inefficient systems approaches or ineffective prevention policies. Reducing the use of non-specific external cause codes in patients’ medical records would improve the measurement of policy effectiveness.

scholarly journals When is work a cause of early retirement and are there any effective organizational measures to combat this? A population-based study of work environment and work-related disorders among employees in Sweden

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerstin Nilsson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Environmental Control ◽  
Working Life ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Swedish Population ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Environmental Controls ◽  
Work Tasks

Abstract Background: The ageing workforce have an impact on public health. The aim of this study was to evaluate work-related disorders, work tasks and measures associated with possibility of working beyond 65 years of age or not. Method: The data comprised two sample surveys based on the Swedish population: the Survey of National Work-Related Health Disorders, and the National Work Environment Survey. Results: A logistic regression analysis showed that an active systematic work environmental controls at the workplace was statistically significant association with whether individuals could work in their current occupation until 65 years of age (OR 1.7). The final multivariate model stated that whether individuals could work until 65 years was associated with bodily exhausted after work, often feel the own work effort insufficient at the end of the day, experience the work as restricted and with a lack of freedom, work alone and at risk of unsafe or threatening situations, and generally dissatisfied with the work tasks. Women-dominated workplaces were more highly associated with both male and female employees not being able to work until age 65 (OR 1.6). Conclusion: Deficiencies in the working environment is a threat to the public health. An active systematic work environmental control at the workplace increase the possibility to extend the working life. Tools for managers, as the swAge-model, to easier perform an active systematic work environmental controls could therefore be a possible way to decrease the risk work injury as well as increase the possibility for a sustainable extended working life.

scholarly journals OP0317-PARE THE CONTEMPORARY WORK-RELATED BURDEN OF DISEASE FOR PEOPLE WITH RHEUMATIC DISEASES IN GREECE

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 193.1-194
Author(s):  
K. Koutsogianni ◽  
F. Asimakopoulou ◽  
E. Repa ◽  
I. Papadakis ◽  
M. Chatziioannou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Work Environment ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Rheumatic Diseases ◽  
Burden Of Disease ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Setting ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Flexible Schedule ◽  
Financial Income ◽  
State Pension

Background:EULAR recommendations emphasize the importance of suitable working conditions for people with Rheumatic diseases (RD). Thus, opportunities and choices at work need to be increased for people with rheumatic diseases. Conversely, the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the working population and particularly those with chronic conditions, such as those with RD. However, there is still a lack of reliable data.Objectives:To depict contemporary real-life data regarding the work-related burden of disease among Greek patients with RD. To develop a White Paper with proposals to the State in order to facilitate people with rheumatic diseases to rejoin or be retained in the work force.Methods:A 24-item quantitative questionnaire was uploaded in the website and social media of REUMAZEIN to capture patients’ responses in respect to work life. The questionnaire was online accessible for a 45-day period (15/8-30/9/2020).Results:The responses of 503 adult people with RD (M/F/NA 94/408/1), were available for analysis. Their age was stratified in decades (18-20 0.6%,21-30 5.99%, 31-40 22.36%, 41-50 38.92%, 51-60 22.16% and over 60 9.58%); totally, 83.44% were in the “work-reproductive” period. The predominant RD types were RA 30.3%, SLE 22.8%, AS 20.2% and PsA 20.2%, respectively. Nearly 90% were on medication, namely 40% on biologics, 33% on methotrexate (as a monotherapy or combined therapy), 16.2% on steroids. A minority were either on alternative therapies (2.8%) or off medication (7.5%), respectively. Most of the people were still employed (72.9%) on a full-time schedule (57.7%) and 4.8% on a part-time one, due to their RD. The rest of them (27.1%) were out of work either due to RD (17%) or retirement (1.7%) or for unrelated to the RD reasons (8.4%). The main source of financial income was personal work (52.4%), followed by a family member support (31.1%), while 11% had either a state pension (8%) or a subsidy (3.2%). In respect to the daily house-keeping, half of them (59.3%) had a varying difficulty (mild 36.3%, severe 23%) and 0.8% considered themselves as “unable”. The diagnosis was mostly established (81%) prior to the work onset. Post-diagnosis, RD had not affected their working schedule in 47.2%, 17% continued to work with respective adaptations but 30% had quitted or resigned from their work 1-7 years later. RD was notified to the work environment by 85%. As for a compassionate work management, 46% reported no change, 28% an improved policy but 28% a worse one. The development of relative adaptations in the work setting (as chairs, devices, flexible schedule) were considered as favorite factors easing the work by 85%. 17% reported an employer’s knowledge on RD related working legislation, 43% the contrary and another 38.7% wished for a future employer’s awareness. Most of the participants (58.9%) had no personal information on this field but were eager to get it. The uneventful impact of RD on finding or keeping a job was registered by 77.4% and 66.9%, respectively. During COVID, most of the participants (53%) have not asked for an RD-related leave and only 24.2% chose to telework, a policy that raised mutual satisfaction in 19%. Of note, the working conditions have not mainly been altered (67%) after the end of the 1st quarantine.Conclusion:This study highlighted that although RD predominate in females, women are more willing to participate in such projects (F 90%). The financial income was mainly based on a personal or a family member work reimbursement (83%), while 11% depended on a state pension or subsidy. The majority has notified the RD to their work environment (85%) while another 85% considered as favorite factors easing the work, several adaptations in the work setting such as chairs, devices, flexible schedule etc. Interestingly, 60% of the participants were unaware of the beneficial legal work rights and nearly 70% of them believe that RD is an obstacle for employment or working maintenance. COVID has not dramatically impaired their work life although the use of teleworking should be strengthened.Disclosure of Interests:None declared.

scholarly journals Value Management in Practice: An Interview Survey

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 11-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Therese Daddow ◽  
Martin Skitmore
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Project Delivery ◽  
Value Management ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Construction Work ◽  
Value For Money ◽  
Extra Time ◽  
Prescriptive Literature ◽  
Interview Survey

Despite its obvious theoretical benefits, there has been some reservations regarding the practical implementation of Value Management (VM) for construction projects. In particular, these concerns the extra time and costs involved in conducting VM in relation to the actual benefits gained as a consequence of its use. This paper provides the result of an interview survey of the experiences and observations of 17 professionals working in the property and construction industry to establish the extent to which this is an issue. The main conclusion is that the process is working well, with VM being popular among those with experience in its use - which has been extended into the area of consultant selection. However, in contrast with the prescriptive literature, much of the participants' experiences appear to be more concerned with VM's contribution to the identification and management of the risks involved in project delivery than the straight value-for-money aspects. This may be due to the higher levels of uncertainty involved in construction work than in VM's original use in construction.

scholarly journals A within-person approach to the relation between quality of task motivation, performance and job satisfaction in everyday working life

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koen Hogenelst ◽  
Roos Schelvis ◽  
Tanja Krone ◽  
Marylène Gagné ◽  
Matti Toivo Juhani Heino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Autonomous Motivation ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Network Analyses ◽  
Controlled Motivation ◽  
Work Tasks ◽  
White Collar Workers ◽  
Autonomous And Controlled Motivation

Previous research on work-related motivation and work-related outcomes generally shows that autonomous forms of motivation are associated with higher performance and job satisfaction, whereas controlled forms of motivation are generally linked to worse outcomes. These relationships are largely based on between-persons data from cross-sectional studies or longitudinal studies with few measurement points. However, motivation quality, performance, and job satisfaction can vary considerably from day to day, both between and within individuals. The present study therefore combines between-persons and within-persons approaches to study the relationships between motivation, performance, and job satisfaction. Nineteen white-collar workers participated in the study. With a default protocol of 30 working days, an ecological momentary assessment app prompted participants five times a day to report their autonomous and controlled motivation for work tasks and their productivity and job satisfaction at the end of each day. Fourteen participants gathered sufficient data to compute within-person relations and individual networks. At the between person level, autonomous motivation was positively associated with productivity, whereas no association with job satisfaction was detected. No associations were detected between controlled motivation and productivity or job satisfaction. At group level within persons, (a) motivation during work tasks (autonomous or controlled) was not associated with self-reported productivity or job satisfaction at the end of that day, (b) self-reported productivity at the end of a day was negatively related to next day autonomous and controlled motivation, and (c) end of day job satisfaction was positively related to next day controlled motivation, but not autonomous motivation. Individual network analyses indicated considerable interindividual heterogeneity, especially in the relationships between motivation and job satisfaction. In conclusion, these findings point to significant variability in the observed relations between motivation, performance and job satisfaction, and highlight the added value of a within person approach and individual networks in addition to between-persons approaches. The implications of these findings for occupational wellbeing research are discussed.

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