BACKGROUND: Plastering activities can involve exposure to
Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder (WRMSD) risk factors that are an
intrinsic part of a plasterer's daily work. Exposure can be assessed by
recording perceptions of symptoms of discomfort during work.
OBJECTIVE: To record a sample of plasterers' self-reported
perceptions of discomfort to identify temporal patterns and to investigate
whether work-break patterns and some task demands influence the intensity
levels of their discomfort.
METHODS: Eighteen experienced plasterers indicated their level of
perceived discomfort for 10 body-parts four times a day for five consecutive
workdays using a Body Part Discomfort Survey (BPDS) containing a body map,
Visual Analogue Discomfort Scales (VADS) and questionnaires to provide
information about their working activities over the duration of the
assessment.
RESULTS: Plasterers experienced discomfort in all body parts
assessed with symptoms increasing over the working day and week and
declining after periods of rest i.e. after lunch and overnight. Task
activities and standing platforms used influenced the patterns of discomfort
intensity
CONCLUSIONS: Plasterers in this group experience greater
physical strain with infrequent work/break patterns, or when carrying out
the same activity or using a single standing platform for prolonged periods.
