Assessing the Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Disorders in Construction Workers Using PATH, Case Study: Construction Project

Construction workers experience a high risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders due to the nature of theirjobs. This article aimed to evaluate the risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among constructionworkers using Posture, Activity Tools and Handling (PATH). This is a sectional, descriptive-analytical studyin a construction site in Tehran, Iran. Certain factors were identified namely body posture, weight of carriedtools and objects, activities and tools, and their tasks and activities using PATH. PATH sheets were coded fora certain job. Descriptive data and Chi-square test were employed to analyze the data using SPSS.19.Identification and evaluation were performed in three most important stages of construction: foundation,carcass, finishing (elaborate work). The mean age was 33.08±8.97. Body posture included gentle bendingposture (21.2%), severe bending (8.2%), bending and twisting (7% and 1.9%, respectively). Body positions,feet, hands, and weight of tools and objects were significantly different in the working stages (P<0.05). Thehighest weight was in less-than-5kg group. Strong grip was observed in 64.5% of cases. Ergonomicinterventions are essential in construction jobs (Bricklaying, reinforcement, etc.) in order to reduce theadverse positions. The evaluation of working tools is also necessary to improve the ergonomic conditions,tools and reduce musculoskeletal disorders of construction workers.

کلیدواژه ها:

Risk ، Musculoskeletal ، Disorders ، PATH ، Construction ، Worker