Workers' and Managers' Awareness and Perceptions of Safety and Ergonomic Programs in the Construction Industry
Abstract No:
1074
Abstract Type:
Professional Poster
Authors:
K Ahn1
Institutions:
1University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whitewater, WI
Presenter:
Kwangseog Ahn
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Description:
Construction work activities include heavy lifting, frequent and repetitive motions, and awkward postures. However, ergonomics is still a relatively new theme for the construction industry. The objective of this study is to categorize the similarities and differences of workers and managers in the awareness and perceptions of safety and ergonomic programs, injury and illness, and work conditions in the U.S. construction industry. The results of this study can help EHS professionals understand the awareness and perceptions of ergonomic-related concerns of construction workers and managers. Eventually, this study will contribute to reducing the occurrence of work-related musculoskeletal injuries and disorders (WMSDs) and lost or restricted work time.
Situation / Problem:
The construction industry has an unenviable history of having one of the highest work-related injury rates among all industries in the United States. Work-related musculoskeletal injuries and disorders (WMSDs) are among the most frequently reported causes of lost or restricted work time in the construction industry. Overexertion, sprains, strains, pulls, and tears are regular occurrences on many construction job sites. However, ergonomics is still a relatively new theme for the construction industry, and only a few studies have reported the similarities and differences of the workers' and managers' knowledge and perceptions of ergonomics matters.
Methods:
A survey questionnaire was developed and distributed to construction workers and managers employed at two separate industrial construction projects located in southern Alabama and eastern Nebraska. The questionnaire was comprised of 40 questions and consisted of four major sections: a) background, b) safety and ergonomic programs, c) injuries and illnesses, and d) work conditions. The survey questionnaire was administrated to workers and managers working at industrial construction projects from July 2015 through September 2018. Statistical analyses for descriptive statistics, Pearson's chi-square tests, ANOVA analyses, and univariate, multivariate regression analyses of the data were conducted using SAS® (Statistical Analysis Software) 9.3 Software.
Results / Conclusions:
Two hundred eighty-one participants completed the survey. The majority of the respondents were male (91%). About 60% of the workers were white, followed by Latinos (25%), and African Americans (9%). Their average age was 37, and the age range was from 18 to 70. Seventy-four percent of the participants were workers, while 26% were managers. Sprain/strain was the most commonly occurring injuries among the participants (52%) followed by back injuries (48%), cuts (47%), burns (25%), carpal tunnel syndrome (19%), and fractures (11%). The top possible cause for the injury or illness were motion/position and slip/trip/fall (50%), followed by overexertion (33%), tools/machinery (33%), and chemicals (8%).
Ninety-two percent of the employers had a written safety program, while only 39% had an ergonomics program. 69% of the respondents perceived that their employers were concerned for their workplace safety, however, only 39% thought ergonomics was important to their employer. About one-third of the participants reported that their company or union provided ergonomics training and that they had received task specific ergonomics training. Less than one-third of the participants knew how to perform an ergonomic assessment, and 26% of respondents stated that an ergonomic evaluation had been completed on the task they perform. Managers were more likely to know about their companies' safety and ergonomic programs. Both managers and workers reported relatively lower ratings of the importance of ergonomics in their companies.
Regression analyses were performed to find relationships between the demographic characteristics and work environment/working conditions, as independent variables, and the rank scores of their perception of their company's safety and ergonomics issues, as dependent variables. Multivariate regression analysis results showed that race, job position, and survey group significantly predicted participants' ratings of safety procedure, feedback, and safety perception. While the construction industry has done an admirable job developing safety programs, it has done far less to develop comprehensive ergonomic programs and policies that would help provide education and guidance to its workers and managers. There are differences between workers and managers in the awareness and perceptions of safety and ergonomic programs.
Ninety-two percent of the employers had a written safety program, while only 39% had an ergonomics program. 69% of the respondents perceived that their employers were concerned for their workplace safety, however, only 39% thought ergonomics was important to their employer. About one-third of the participants reported that their company or union provided ergonomics training and that they had received task specific ergonomics training. Less than one-third of the participants knew how to perform an ergonomic assessment, and 26% of respondents stated that an ergonomic evaluation had been completed on the task they perform. Managers were more likely to know about their companies' safety and ergonomic programs. Both managers and workers reported relatively lower ratings of the importance of ergonomics in their companies.
Regression analyses were performed to find relationships between the demographic characteristics and work environment/working conditions, as independent variables, and the rank scores of their perception of their company's safety and ergonomics issues, as dependent variables. Multivariate regression analysis results showed that race, job position, and survey group significantly predicted participants' ratings of safety procedure, feedback, and safety perception. While the construction industry has done an admirable job developing safety programs, it has done far less to develop comprehensive ergonomic programs and policies that would help provide education and guidance to its workers and managers. There are differences between workers and managers in the awareness and perceptions of safety and ergonomic programs.
Primary Topic:
Construction
Secondary Topics:
Ergonomics
Safety Management
Co-Authors
Please add your co-authors below. Co-authors are listed for professional courtesy and will not be communicated with regarding the decision notification or any on-site logistics, if accepted. Only the primary presenter listed is expected to attend and present the content on-site.
Department of Occupational & Environmental Safety & Health, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Whitewater, WI 53190, USA
Sang D. Choi
Professor & Director of Center for OESH
Department of Occupational & Environmental Safety & Health, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Whitewater, WI 53190, USA