Biomechanical Analysis of the Physical Loads on the Low Back and Shoulder During Drywall Installation

Details

• Personal Author:
  Yuan L
• Description:
  This research provided a biomechanical analysis of the physical loads on the low back and shoulder during drywall installation. Both the ergonomic exposure assessment and intervention evaluation were conducted integrating the methods of work-sampling based observation, computer-aided simulation, biomechanical models of the low back and the shoulder, and a one-compartment challenge-recovery model. In the first study, the Monte-Carlo simulation technique was used to generate input information for the biomechanical models from PATH (Posture, Activities, Tools, and Handling) observation data during a simulated 8-hour workday. We then estimated the required contraction forces of five paired trunk muscles; joint resultant forces of disc compression, lateral shear, and anterior-posterior shear at L4/L5; contraction forces of nineteen major shoulder muscles and one ligament; and resultant forces at the glenohumeral and sternoclavicular joints using the double linear optimization program and the nonlinear optimization program in MATLAB, respectively. The second study examined trunk and shoulder muscle fatigue by introducing the concept of muscle force production capacity. The prevalences of muscle fatigue and consecutive fatigue periods were computed to illustrate the influence of muscle fatigue on physical capacity during drywall installation, where it was found that trunk muscles were more vulnerable to fatigue than shoulder muscles. The third study evaluated the relative efficacy of three simulated ergonomic interventions for drywall installation. By comparing muscle contraction forces, joint resultant forces, and muscle fatigue parameters obtained from the integrated methods between post- and pre-interventions, it was determined that all of the proposed interventions, including lifting assistance, two-person team work, and optimal work-rest schedule, contributed to the reduction of ergonomic hazards for drywall installers. The combination of lifting assistance and optimal work-rest schedule was the most efficacious intervention. The research initiates a cost-effective protocol for physical ergonomic exposure assessment and intervention effectiveness evaluation, which can be applied to the construction industry and other non-routine work sectors where it is either infeasible or too labor/time intensive to explore direct measurement technology. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Biomechanical Phenomena Ergonomics Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Biomechanics Drywall Finishing Exposure Assessment Intervention Effectiveness Low Back Disorders MSD Musculoskeletal Disorders Upper Extremities
• ISBN:
  9780542935268
• Publisher:
  ProQuest LLC.
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant ; Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Dissertation
• Place as Subject:
  Maryland ; Massachusetts ; OSHA Region 1 ; OSHA Region 3
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20057515
• Citation:
  Ann Arbor, MI: ProQuest LLC., 2006 Sep; :3239306
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2006
• Performing Organization:
  The Center to Protect Workers' Rights
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  19990701
• Source Full Name:
  Biomechanical analysis of the physical loads on the low back and shoulder during drywall installation
• End Date:
  20050630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:a394c84ef09d93f33de1d72bbe2281db002f119a76d139c82f5a5e1a93330b3264bd7e83af1786df581ba2e8f63c17ac442814ba33df580fc036647dbdc92645
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/214852/cdc_214852_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 4.64 MB ]