Investigation of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in wall plastering jobs within the construction industry

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among workers in wall plastering jobs within the construction industry.

Participants: A total of 43 workers within three workplaces participated in the study.

Methods: Subjects were interviewed using self-report charts. During the task duration, observation of the workplace was carried out using a Workplace Ergonomic Risk Assessment (WERA) method.

Results: An analysis of WERA assessment, the wrist score for WERA body part was >4 in 86% of workers, while wrist pain or discomfort was reported by 86%, yielding a significant association between WERA body part score and self-reported pain (χ $^{2}=$ 16.12; p=0.000). The WERA body part score for the shoulder regions during wall plastering job yielded a score > 4 in 93% and caused shoulder pain or discomfort in 91%, the association being significant (χ $ ^{2}$ =12.58; p=0.000). The back regions for WERA body part score was >4 in 91% of workers, with 98% reporting pain or back discomfort, with a significant association (χ $^{2}$ =9.98; p=0.002).

Conclusions: These results showed that statistically significance for the wrist, shoulder and back regions of the individual WERA body part scores were affecting the worker and lead to the development of pain or discomfort among workers in wall plastering jobs.