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Reduce Bending To Materials: Construction Occupational Health Case Study COH01

This case study examines how repeated bending during brick and block laying can increase injury risks. Raising materials on a scaffold 500mm above the ground and using blocks to lift mortar spot boards reduces unnecessary bending. These changes made the work easier and more comfortable while lowering injury risks and improving productivity. Proper planning and inexpensive adjustable equipment can help construction workers avoid musculoskeletal issues from repetitive motions.

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60 views1 page

Reduce Bending To Materials: Construction Occupational Health Case Study COH01

This case study examines how repeated bending during brick and block laying can increase injury risks. Raising materials on a scaffold 500mm above the ground and using blocks to lift mortar spot boards reduces unnecessary bending. These changes made the work easier and more comfortable while lowering injury risks and improving productivity. Proper planning and inexpensive adjustable equipment can help construction workers avoid musculoskeletal issues from repetitive motions.

Uploaded by

engr_dk
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Health and Safety

Executive

Reduce bending to materials


Construction Occupational Health
case study COH01

The problem

On most sites brick and block laying at ground level involves


bending down repeatedly to the stack and mortar spot board
as well as to the wall that is being built. The combination of
awkward postures and continuous handling can contribute to
discomfort and a risk of injury.

Figure 3 Raising the height of a mortar spot board reduces the risk
of injury from repeated bending

The risks

Repeated bending or stooping can injure the back, neck and


knees. There may also be a risk of repetitive strain injury to
the arms or wrists when using a trowel at awkward angles.
Figure 1 Bending to trowel mortar and lay bricks at ground level

The solution

Bricklayers used a scaffold with the base lift set at 500 mm


above ground level. Bricklayers stood on the ground and
received materials from the scaffold. This reduced the need
to bend.

The contractor also recognised that the risk of injury could be


reduced by using blocks to raise the height of mortar spot
boards.

The benefits

■ Brick/blocklayers found that these improvements made


the work easier and more comfortable.
■ The risk of musculoskeletal injury reduced and
production rates improved.

Notes

■ Adjustable foldaway spot board stands are widely


available.
■ The scaffold base lift needs to be planned into the
Figure 2 Stacks of brick are placed on the scaffold to raise their sequence of work.
height and reduce the need to bend ■ The additional cost of erecting a base lift is minimal.

Published by the Health and Safety Executive COH01 01/08 www.hse.gov.uk

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