Analysis of Relationships between Body Load and Training, Work Methods, and Work Rate: Overcoming the Novice Mason’s Risk Hump

Abstract

Masons regularly perform physically strenuous and demanding duties that may exceed a safe limit. Such activities can contribute to an early retirement for masons, resulting in a shortage of skilled craft workers. Previous ergonomic studies have observed that workers develop safer and more productive work techniques as they gain experience. This study aims to analyze relationships between body loads, experience, and work methods. Specifically, we expanded a previous pilot study by increasing the number of participants from 21 masons to 66 masons. Participants completed a prebuilt standard concrete masonry unit (CMU) lead wall using 45 CMUs. Motion capture suits were used to capture masons’ motions, and a combined biomechanical-productivity analysis was carried out to determine the loads experienced by major body joints. Exploiting the larger dataset, this study assessed how different experience groups load their joints and adjust their work techniques as the work height changes. The results suggested that experienced journeymen adopt similar work techniques distinct from those of less experienced workers. Further, training apprentices to adopt these work methods can help reduce occupational injuries and improve productivity. The results show that the journeymen with more than 20 years of experience adopt safer and more productive work techniques distinct from those of less experienced workers. The present study contributes to the body of knowledge on masons’ safety and productivity by providing an in-depth understanding of the linkage between body loads, work experience, techniques, and productivity. Additionally, the findings in this study are expected to have a greater impact when they are adopted to apprentice-training methods and applied to other high musculoskeletal-disorders-risk trades.