Frequency of Injury in the Construction Trades

The low back is the most frequently injured body part and the most frequent source of complaints of pain, lost work time, and early retirement of laborers in the construction industry. In a long-term study, Occupational and Industrial Orthopaedic Center (OIOC) ergonomicists in conjunction with New York City labor organizations and community resources developed and implemented a model program with the goal of reducing morbidity associated with work-related low back pain among members of the mason tender trade.

The trade, including general laborers and demolition workers as well as mason tenders, work in different types of building and construction perform a variety of physically demanding tasks: structure demolition, mortar mixing, palletizing, hoisting, moving bricks, cement blocks, and equipment, erecting and dismantling scaffolds, constructing repairing highways, bridges, and other large structures, cement and concrete work, and asbestos and hazardous waste remediation.

The physical workload of mason tenders is extremely high. Ninety per cent of their work involves manual materials handling, including lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling and carrying. The large number of workers at risk for low back pain represents a problem with potentially significant social impact and thus requires an effective injury prevention strategy to address it.

OIOC personnel first conducted a musculoskeletal symptom survey was conducted in order to be able to analyze pertinent demographic, temporal, and injury characteristics among mason tenders and to identify those work-related activities and job factors that workers perceived as contributing to their musculoskeletal injuries or disorders.

Focus group discussions with experienced mason tenders were also conducted to identify the trade’s most stressful and problematic. Several work site visits were conducted as well to observe, assess, and document exposure of mason tenders to ergonomic risk factors at construction sites.

Results of the symptom survey revealed that

82% of mason tenders experienced at least one distressing musculoskeletal symptom during the past year.

Low back pain was the most frequently reported symptom (65%),

12% of mason tenders missing work

18% seeking medical help.

Bending and/or twisting the back in an awkward way, prolonged work while maintaining the same stance, working overhead or away from the body, working near or at physical limits, and working while in pain were identified as the greatest contributors to their musculoskeletal symptoms.

While back support and good posture is important to maintain while working. Anyone who has worn a workbelt on top of a typical back support knows the discomfort and restriction that the combination causes.

When you are working at maximum effort, good posture is not going to be at the front of your mind. That is where our tool belt comes in reinforcing good posture without intruding or interfering with your work effort.

With the Back-A-Line Tool Belt, you no longer need to sacrifice good back support for the convenience of carrying your tools with you. Now you can combine your favorite tool pouches with the safety and protection offered by the Back-A-Line Belt!