Abstract
This project used a participatory process to develop a system for carpenters and laborers to obtain body harness equipment satisfying both safety and ergonomic concerns. Focus groups with workers identified poorly fitting and inappropriate body harnesses as one contributor to discomfort and pain among concrete form workers. An ordering system and selection guide was developed and implemented working with suppliers, the safety department, field crews and foremen. The system was piloted on a large high-rise project. Follow-up interviews and written surveys were conducted with 27 carpenters. The findings showed increases in participation, training, and interaction with foremen and crews regarding body harness fit, options, and safety. The findings further demonstrated perceived improvements in selection, fit, and overall body harness satisfaction. Workers who were present at the beginning of the project experienced better selection and training than those who arrived after the initial ordering efforts. The ordering system was more efficient for this site in the initial set up phase of the project when obtaining equipment for the job is the norm. After construction efforts were underway, less effort was put into participation and ordering system maintenance.
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