Evaluation of the hand-arm vibration and ergonomic risks in manual works at Elysium tower construction site, Islamabad - Pakistan (P-0826) (MFN 6340)

Abstract

The current study was conducted to evaluate the ergonomic and Hand-arm Vibrations (HAV) risk associated with the power tools and manual works on construction site, Islamabad. The primary objective of this study was to identify the awkward body postures adopted by the construction workforce while performing job task incorporating risk factors with potential to cause work related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD). The prevalence of risk factors in job task is synergistic in nature aggravated by adopted awkward body posture in manual material handling (MMH) and power tools gripping orientation, thus enhancing the vulnerability potential of workforce predisposed towards contracting musculoskeletal disorder (MSD). For the purpose of identifying awkward body postures in job tasks, an observational methodology was recruited through the help of risk factors guide provided in the occupational safety and health administration (OSHA) ergonomic checklist. Postures of 100 workers were observed on construction site having three major parameters of ergonomic dysfunction, cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) and repetitive tasks. The measurement was analyzed through a percentile to give the risk factor of high, medium or low. During sampling the risk of hand-arm vibration (HAV) risk posed to the operators of the power tools, 25 workers were also assessed for the vibration associated risks and medical disorders. Using health, safety and environment (HSE) Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) Hand-Arm vibration (HAV) exposure calculator (Version 4.3), their values were compared with exposure action value (EAV) and exposure limit value (ELV). The assessment revealed that overall ergonomic and Hand-Arm vibration (HAV) risk is high. The 60% of the workers using tools were exceeding statutory exposure limit value (ELV) and the rest 40% were having medium risk. The risk percentiles of the three ergonomic parameters in different jobs illustrates the chronic development of work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD). Structured questionnaire was administered to 100 workers for evaluation of ergonomic and safety issues of the workers. Furthermore, the ergonomics awareness and safety survey evaluation suggest that majority of work force does not use mandatory personal protective equipment (PPE) during working hours and incompatible work-stations cause workers to adopt awkward work postures leading to different levels of risk. Hence, proper protective equipment should be provided to the workers along with suitable work-stations, so that the workers can work efficiently. In the last but not the least the study strives to address the contractors, construction project supervisors and foreman to consider the ergonomically designed workstations compatible with the worker’s physiology to minimize physical ergonomic stresses in manual works and reconsider the purchasing decisions: buying power tools with minimum vibration magnitudes to reduce hand-arm vibration (HAV) impacts.