Manual Bar Bending—An Occupational Hazard for Construction Workers in Developing Nations

Abstract

Bar bending is the process of bending reinforcement bars to required angles in civil and construction engineering. Manual bar bending involves strenuous physical activity, which is usually performed in a poor ergonomic environment at a construction worksite. This could lead to chronic musculoskeletal disorders such as low back pain among bar benders. The aim of this study is to assess the ergonomics of manual bar bending and thereby develop a customized optimal workplace for bar bending. Biomechanical analysis was done using a three-dimensional Schultz–Andersson model to determine the influence of the diameter of the bar on the compressive force