Showing 4 results for Construction Workers
Hossein Marvimilan, Iraj Mohebbi, Hamidreza Khalkhali, Mohammad Hajaghazadeh,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (4-2019)
Abstract
Introduction: Physical workload is one of the main risk factors in developing of musculoskeletal disorders in construction workers. The current study was carried out to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and its relationship with demographic characteristics and physical work load index (PWLI)in construction workers.
Material and Methods: This investigation was a descriptive and cross-sectional study in which 162 subjects including 75 rebar and 87 bricklayer workers were participated. Nordic musculoskeletal and physical workload questionnaires were employed as the tools of this study. Chi-squared and logistic regression tests were used for statistical analysis in SPSS 21 software.
Results: The mean of age and working experience of construction workers were 34.6±8.6 and 11.2±6.8 years, respectively. The most prevalent symptoms were in the body regions of upper back (57.4%), lower back (35.8%), and neck (30.2%). In the univariate analysis, the musculoskeletal symptoms of shoulders, low back, feet, knees, and thighs with PWLI and the upper back pain with age, working experience, and working hours had significant relationships (P<0.05). According to logistic regression analysis, with the increase of the value of PWLI to more than 90 percentile, the chance of having symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders in low back, knees, and feet and also with the increase of working hour to more than 8 hours, the chance of having symptoms in low back and feet increased significantly.
Conclusion: The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was high in the studied construction workers. Most of the musculoskeletal symptoms were correlated with PWLI. Therefore, PWLI could be used to determine the construction jobs with the high risk of musculoskeletal disorders. To reduce the symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders in construction workers, the reduction of sources of physical workloads such as heavy material handling and awkward postures are proposed. It is also recommended that the working hours be limited to less than 8 hours.
Fateme Heydari Abdolahi, Ali Safari Variani, Mohammad Soleimanabadi, Sakineh Varmazyar,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (3-2022)
Abstract
Introduction: The purpose of the current study was to predict the percentage of the sway index from the static balance point based on the anthropometric dimensions of construction workers.
Material and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 114 construction workers. First, the construction workers were asked to complete the demographic questionnaire and the inclusion criteria were determined. Then, the anthropometric dimensions were measured. Afterward, the static balance of participants was assessed with their open eyes and standing position using a Stabilometer device. The obtained data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression.
Results: 29.8% of construction workers were in weak and very weak classes in terms of static balance. The Pearson and spearman’s correlation coefficient showed a significant relationship between age, weight, and sway index of individuals. In addition, multiple linear regression showed that age, weight, and foot surface of construction workers can predict the percentage of the sway index from the static balance point among construction workers.
Conclusion: The results of the current study indicated that demographic information such as age, anthropometric parameters of weight, and foot surface are effective factors on static balance in a healthy construction workers’ community with a normal body mass index.
Rajabali Hokmabadi, Mohsen Mahdinia, Vida Rezaei Hachesu, Ali Karimi,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (6-2022)
Abstract
Introduction: Sleep is one of the important physiologic needs in daily life cycle, and a part of quality of life. Sleep disorders are considered as one of the most common health problems in work communities that can affect physical, mental performance and ability to work. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the relationship between sleep disorders and work ability in construction workers.
Material and Methods: This study is descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional. Samples of 220 people were selected by random sampling method from construction workers and personnel. Data collection tools in this study included sleep quality questionnaire, insomnia severity questionnaire and work ability questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 19) and, considering the objectives, descriptive statistics and analytical tests including paired t-test, Pearson’s correlation, Kruskal-Wallis, multiple linear regression and logistic regression were used.
Results: Average age, body mass index, working hours and work experience were calculated as 34.2 ± 8.5 years old, 55.58 ± 2.78, 10.5 ± 1.25 hours and 12.7 ± 6.5 years, respectively. The mean indices of insomnia severity, Petersburg quality of sleep index and work ability were 6.6 ± 5.35, 4.95 ± 2.43 and 42.5 ± 5.13, respectively. The relationship between the work ability with sleep disorders was statistically significant. Variables of marital status, types of employment and smoking, independent of the variables of insomnia severity and sleep quality, significantly affected the work ability index, so that the R2 of these variables were 0.246 and 0.242 of the changes in work ability index, respectively.
Conclusion: Any disturbance in sleep and resting can cause poor sleep quality. As a result, it severely reduces the ability of employees to work. Therefore, it is suggested that, in order to increase the index of work ability and, thus, the efficiency of an organization, special attention be paid to sleep-resting programs of employees.
Parvin Sepehr, Mousa Jabbari, Hassan Sadeghi Naeini, Ali Salehi Sahl Abadi, Mansour Ziaei, Vahid Ahmadi Moshiran, Maryam Ahmadian, Younes Mehrifar,
Volume 14, Issue 3 (10-2024)
Abstract
Introduction: The safety harness is a critical device for preventing falls from height, particularly in the construction industry. This study aimed to identify the factors contributing to the non-use of safety harnesses during work at height and to evaluate the comfort, satisfaction, and usability of these harnesses among construction workers in Tehran using a custom-designed tool.
Material and Methods: A semi-structured interview was conducted with construction workers to identify the factors influencing the non-use of safety harnesses. The collected data were analyzed using MAXQDA 10 software. Based on the results, which revealed dissatisfaction with the current safety harnesses, the levels of comfort, satisfaction, and usability were assessed using the Safety Harness Usability and Comfort Assessment Tool (SHUCAT) questionnaire.
Results: The reasons for not using safety harnesses were categorized into four main groups: management factors, worker attitudes, comfort, and harness design. These were further subdivided into 27 subgroups. The average satisfaction and comfort scores for safety harnesses were 26.8 ± 6.25, indicating that workers generally felt uncomfortable and dissatisfied with their harnesses. The average usability score was 38.70 ± 5.60, reflecting poor usability of the harnesses.
Conclusion: Improving the safety harness design could enhance workers’ comfort and satisfaction, increasing their willingness to use the equipment. Incorporating feedback from users and experts into the design process can help address the identified shortcomings and result in better product development.
