Ergonomic Evaluation of Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Disorders in Construction Workers by Key Indicator Method (KIM)

Construction activities are dicey businesses such that the existing peril not only threatens the person's safety, but also has health impacts. Inappropriate work postures, vibration and prolonged standing from using physical workload resources are known to cause musculoskeletal disorders among construction workers. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the physical posture of construction workers using key indicator method. In this descriptive-analytical study, 150 construction workers were assessed in Bojnourd city. They included reinforcement workers, plasterers, tile installers, stoneworkers and painters. Thirty individuals from each of these professions were evaluated. This study was conducted using simple randomized sampling and in-person sessions. The prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort was evaluated using Nordic questionnaire while working postures was assessed using KIM. Data was analyzed by chi-square. with SPSS19 software (P-Value =0.05). The mean age of the workers was 29.28 (6.329), the average working experience was 4.91 ( 5.574) years and the mean duration of work was 6.34 (1.16). The Min and Max scores for workers' postural work were 18 and 64, respectively; and the average final score was 40.59 (11.941). There was no significant difference in terms of the relationship between the final score with age and work experience. However, a significant difference was observed in relation to the duration of the work and the type of task. The average final score for the reinforcement workers, stone workers, plasterer, painter and tile installer was 50.67 (8.227), 47.6(6.29), 45 (6.052), 5.188 (38), and 21.7 (3.12), respectively. Musculoskeletal disorders are frequent in construction workers. Consequently, appropriate measures should be taken to reduce musculoskeletal disorders among construction workers. These measures include provision of ergonomic guidelines in the design of work stations, tools and training of workers in the field on correct lifting techniques.