A 2005 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index "estimates that overexertion - defined as injuries caused by excessive lifting, pushing, pulling, holding, carrying or throwing of an object - in 2003 cost employers $13.4 billion."
Mention ergonomics and the first thing that comes to mind is typically an office setting and preventing repetitive stress injuries. Or maybe a warehouse in which workers are doing a lot of lifting and stretching. But, ergonomics is a major issue in the construction industry also. An article published in the January 29th issue of Occupational Hazards magazine points out:
"Construction, after all, involves gritty, physical labor - often performed by workers who aren't in peak physical condition. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that the BLS statistics for 2005 indicate that construction not only led the way in the lost-days injury and illness incidence rate for sprains and strains, but also in the lost-days incidence rate for cuts and lacerations; fractures; and multiple traumatic injuries."
How can injuries such as these be prevented? This article has several recommendations including stretching exorcises and getting lean. Not workers getting lean, but applying lean manufacturing techniques such as 5S to construction.
Mention ergonomics and the first thing that comes to mind is typically an office setting and preventing repetitive stress injuries. Or maybe a warehouse in which workers are doing a lot of lifting and stretching. But, ergonomics is a major issue in the construction industry also. An article published in the January 29th issue of Occupational Hazards magazine points out:
"Construction, after all, involves gritty, physical labor - often performed by workers who aren't in peak physical condition. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that the BLS statistics for 2005 indicate that construction not only led the way in the lost-days injury and illness incidence rate for sprains and strains, but also in the lost-days incidence rate for cuts and lacerations; fractures; and multiple traumatic injuries."
How can injuries such as these be prevented? This article has several recommendations including stretching exorcises and getting lean. Not workers getting lean, but applying lean manufacturing techniques such as 5S to construction.
Labels: Lean Manufacturing, Safety Training
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