ERGONOMICS RISK ASSESSMENT AMONG INFRASTRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS IN KUALA LUMPUR
Author: Dian D.I. DARUIS, Baba M. DEROS, Nishant JEYASEKARAN
Abstract:Increased number of injuries due to repetitive movements, excessive force and awkward postures makes ergonomics an important factor in safety and health at workplace. Statistics showed that musculoskeletal disorders are the main cause of loss of productivity in many countries. This study aims to identify ergonomics risk factors that causes work-related musculoskeletal disorders to workers at X infrastructure construction site located in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. First objective of this study was to identify workers’ body part with highest pain and discomfort complaints. The second objective was to explore the relationship between ergonomics risk factors in construction with the pain or discomfort and finally to investigate the relationship between workers’ socio-demographics with the pain and discomfort scores. The investigations were based on the recent guidelines on Ergonomic Risk Assessment issued by DOSH Malaysia. Discomfort survey forms were filled by conducting interview sessions with the selected respondents from three types of work activity which included bar benders, carpenters and general workers. As there were numerous complaints from respondents based on the Self-Assessment Musculoskeletal Pain forms,
Initial Ergonomic Risk Assessment was done by observing the three types of work activity where checklists were filled based on the observation. Referring to results of initial assessment of ergonomic risk, Advanced Ergonomic Risk Assessment was carried out on bar benders as this group of respondents had the highest score in the summary rating checklist of Initial Ergonomic Risk Assessment. Further assessment of ergonomic risk should be carried out for bar benders as REBA score was 9 where this work process required monitoring and improvement. Study found that there was a significant relationship (p <0.05) between ergonomic risk factors and body pain where upper and lower backs were significantly higher with ergonomic risk factors. Body pain had significant relationships (p <0.05) with socio-demographic factors such as citizenship, working hours and rest hours. Control measures to reduce or eliminate ergonomic risk factors, contractor or employer may adopt and practice control measures by following hierarchy of risk control such as implementing administrative controls which practices job rotation for employees
Keywords: WRMSDs, ergonomic risk assessment, REBA, construction