CONSTRUCTION ERGONOMICS: PERSPECTIVES OF FEMALE AND MALE PRODUCTION WORKERS

摘要

Construction is by its very nature a physical process. This is further aggravated by its reliance on labour and a low level of mechanisation. Construction requires, inter alia, bending, working in awkward or cramped positions, reaching away from the body, and overhead, repetitive movements, handling heavy materials and equipment, use of body force, exposure to vibration and noise, and climbing and descending. Furthermore, there are a diverse range of health and safety (H&S) issues, and given the transient and temporary nature of construction, welfare facilities constitute a challenge. Poor ergonomics and H&S results not only in injury and disease to persons, but impacts on their well being, and compromises cost, productivity, quality, and schedule. A study conducted among female and male production workers in a better practice health and safety general contractor investigated a number of issues: the frequency at which ergonomics problems are encountered; the suitability of various aspects which affect performance and wellness on site; the extent to which various activities and interventions could contribute to an improvement in construction ergonomics, and gender differences relative to the aforementioned. Findings include: construction activities constitute an ergonomic problem; various aspects, in particular welfare facilities, are not suitable, and various aspects would make workers' working lives easier, in particular mechanization and lighter materials. Conclusions include: certain construction activities constitute more of an ergonomic problem than others; construction activities constitute more of an ergonomics problem to females than males; females find many work related aspects less suitable than males; welfare facilities are not deemed suitable by both females and males, and certain activities/interventions would make females' and males' working lives easier, however, more so relative to females.