Ergonomic Evaluation of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Construction Workers Using Posture, Activity, Tools, Handling (PATH) Method
Beheshti ، Mohammad Hossein نويسنده Faculty member , Dept. of Occupational Health, Faculty of Health, Gonabad University Of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran. Beheshti , Mohammad Hossein , Zare Javan، Zahra نويسنده M. A. Student in Educational Management, Department of Education, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran. Zare Javan, Zahra , YARAHMADI، GHASEM نويسنده Student Research Commite, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran YARAHMADI, GHASEM
Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders are the major causes of occupational diseases in the work places and they are the most important cause of disability and absenteeism. For the prevention of these disorders and improvement of working, it is necessary to use ergonomics assessment techniques. This study aimed to assess ergonomic risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders in construction workers in Gonabad, Iran, using Postur, Activity, Tools, Handling (PATH) method.
Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive– analytical study conducted on 72 construction workers in three groups of jobs including brickwork, joinery and foundation in Gonabad, Iran. Sampling was done randomly. Workplace ergonomic assessment was conducted using PATH method and data analysis was performed by SPSS 20 statistical software and presented with descriptive statics.
Results: The mean age of participants was 30.44± 10.21 yr, and the average work experience was 9.26 ±7.20 yr. Legs status assessment showed that neutral state labors make up about 46% of the time. In most jobs, about 39% of labors work in a neutral position and about 50% of labors bear more than 15 kg weight during their work, and about 96% of labors spent their time working with elbows above their shoulder.
Conclusion: Mostly, in time of working, trunk state of construction workers was in a non-neutral posture and construction workers are exposed to musculoskeletal disorders. Thus, it is necessary to conduct more studies on these topics in order to prevent musculoskeletal disorders.