Assessment of Ergonomic Adaptability Practices Among Selected Construction Craftsmen
– Assessment of Ergonomic Adaptability Practices Among Selected Construction Craftsmen –
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ABSTRACT
Health and safety are about the prevention of ill-health among workers caused by their working conditions. Ergonomics is one of the methods to eliminate health hazards and risk in the construction industry.
The aim of the study is to assess the adaptability of ergonomic practices among selected building construction craftsmen in Abuja with a view to enhancing health and safety practices on the construction site.
The study assesses awareness of ergonomics among building construction craftsmen. The study also assesses the challenges and drivers to ergonomics among construction craftsmen.
One hundred and Twenty-five interviews were conducted among Masons, Electricians, Carpenter, Tilers and Iron-fixers.
Site observation was used to fill checklist assessing adaptability of ergonomics practices on construction site in Abuja. Data was analysed using percentage.
The study found that awareness of ergonomics among craftsmen is low with at 4%. It also found that 66% of craftsmen have experienced Work-related musculoskeletal injuries.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Declaration …………………………………………………………………………………………………… iii
Certification …………………………………………………………………………………………………. iv
Dedication ………………………………………………………………………………………………………v
Acknowledgement …………………………………………………………………………………………. vi
Abstract ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. vii
List of Table …………………………………………………………………………………………………. iv
1.0 INTRODUCTION …………………………………………………………………………………….1
1.1 Background of the Study………………………………………………………………………………………1
1.2 Statement of Research Problem …………………………………………………………………………….3
1.3 Justification for the Study …………………………………………………………………………………….4
1.4 Aim and Objectives ……………………………………………………………………………………………..6
1.4.1 Aim…….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..6
1.4.2 Objectives …………………………………………………………………………………………………………6
1.5 Scope and Limitations ………………………………………………………………………………………….6
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW…………………………………………………………………………..7
2.1 Health and Safety in Construction…………………………………………………………………………7
2.2 Ergonomics and Ergonomics Awareness ……………………………………………………………… 10
2.3Construction Industry Ergonomic Intervention ……………………………………………………. 12
2.3.1 Manual materials handling…………………………………………………………………………………. 12
2.3.2 Mini-break ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 12
2.3.3 Ergonomics tools ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 13
2.3.2 Characteristics of ergonomically designed tools …………………………………………………….. 14
2.3.4 Carpentry ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 14
2.3.5 Iron- Fixing (steelwork) ……………………………………………………………………………………. 15
2.3.6 Tilling……. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 16
2.3.7 Masonry work ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 17
2.3.7 Electrical work ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 17
2.4 Challenges to implementation of Ergonomics in Construction ……………………………….. 18
2.5 Drivers to the adoption of Ergonomics in Construction ……………………………………………… 19
3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ……………………………………………………………… 23
3.1 Research Method………………………………………………………………………………………………. 23
3.2 Data Collection Technique …………………………………………………………………………………. 24
3.3 Administration of the Instrument ……………………………………………………………………….. 24
4.0 DATA PRESENTATION ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION………………………… 30
4.1 Craftsmen Profile ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 30
4.1.1 Type of craft……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 31
4.1.2 Working experience of craftsmen ……………………………………………………………………….. 32
4.1.3 Type of craft……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 32
4.2 Awareness of Ergonomics among Building Construction Craftsmen ……………………… 33
4.2.1 Awareness of ergonomics ……………………………………………………………………………….. 33
4.2.2 Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder …………………………………………………………….. 34
4.2.4 Craftsmen Response to musculoskeletal injuries ……………………………………………………. 36
4.2.5 Ergonomics risk factors …………………………………………………………………………………….. 37
4.3 Ergonomic Adaptation ………………………………………………………………………………………. 38
4.3.1 Site observation of Carpenters ……………………………………………………………………………. 39
4.3.2 Site observation of Iron-Fixers …………………………………………………………………………… 40
4.3.3Tilers……… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 42
4.3.4 Site observation of Masonry work ………………………………………………………………………. 43
4.3.5 Site observation of Electrical work …………………………………………………………………….. 44
4.4. Factors militating against ergonomic adaption among construction craftsmen ………. 45
4.5 Factor to enhance adaption of ergonomics among construction craftsmen ……………… 47
5.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION ………………………. 50
5.1 Summary of Findings ………………………………………………………………………………………… 50
5.2 Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 51
5.3 Recommendations …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 52
REFERENCE ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 53
APPENDIX I ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 58
APPENDIX II ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 60
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Construction workers have high injury rates and construction work by its very nature is difficult. This could be because of working above the shoulder and below the knees level, and also building materials are heavy.
Mcintos (2001) in Abdulahi (2012) declare that working in the construction industry has been identified as a risk factor for chronic disability.
Every year many construction site workers are killed or injured as a result of their work; others suffer ill health, such as musculoskeletal disorders (Health and Safety Executives, 2006).
According to Muhammed (2014), occupational health and safety in construction is about preventing people from being injured at work or becoming ill through appropriate precautions and providing a satisfactory working environment.
Health and safety are about identifying risk and eliminating or controlling factors to prevent accident and occupational ill-health (European Commission, 2011).
Health and safety is an inevitable aspect of construction because the only time an employee will perform his duties is when the employee is in good health and is sure of a safe working environment.
REFERENCE
Abdulahi, A. (2012). Application of health and safety plan of some selected construction firms in Nigeria. B.Sc Building project. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Abdul-Azeez, A.D. (2012). Developing a prototype electronic document and record management system (EDRMS) for small and medium building firms. Unpublished Dissertation, Department of Building. Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.
Abdul-Hafeez, I and Mustapha, T. (2016). An Investigation into Challenges of Adopting Ergonomics in the Nigerian Building Construction Industry. Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute Conference.
Adeyemi, O; Adejuyigbe, S; Akanbi, O; Ismaila, S and Adekoya, A. (2013). Enhanced Ergonomics Training; A Requisite to Safe Body Postures in Manual Lifting Tasks. Global Journal of Researches in Engineering Industrial Engineering,13(6).
Ahankoob, A and Charehzehi, A. (2013) Mitigating ergonomic injuries in construction industry. IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering, 6( 2), 36-42.
Ajayi, O. and Thwala, W.D. (2012) Dynamics Of Health And Safety In Nigeria‘s Construction Industry: Construction Worker‘s Dilemma.: Nani G., Nkum R.K.,
