Construction Ergonomics Checklist

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CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training

Summary Statement

A review of tools, tasks, and work postures common on construction worksite to guide your effort to identify and mitigate ergonomic hazards.
2010

To be filled out and updated jointly by contractors and union reps — every 2 weeks or as a site changes. This document is intended to help develop an “eye” for ergonomic problems and prevent injuries.

Date:___/____/_____

Site: ___________

General contractor:___________

Union rep:___________

Subcontractor:___________

Signature:________________________________ (Person filling out this form)

Materials Handling

 What heavy materials or equipment are being handled on site — drywall, rebar, concrete forms, anything over 20 pounds?
 
Do any workers have to lift more than 50 pounds at one time without help? Yes____ No____
Do workers have to lift more than 20 pounds often?
If yes, how can this be changed?
 
Yes____ No____
Are there handles to help carry materials?
If yes, are the handles easy to use and comfortable?
Yes____ No____
Yes____ No____
Are workers told to get someone’s help to lift heavy materials?
Are there carts, dollies, or other aids readily available for moving materials?
If yes, are the carts being used?
If no, why not?

 

Yes____ No____
Yes____ No____
Yes____ No____





If no, is the site clear enough to permit the use of carts? Yes____ No____
Are materials delivered as close as possible to where they will be used?
If no, how can this be changed?
 
Yes____ No____
On what jobs do workers have to lift overhead?
 
How can this lifting be avoided?
 
Are materials stored at floor or ground level?
If yes, do workers have to bend down to lift materials?
Yes____ No____
Yes____ No____
Can the materials be stored at waist height? Yes____ No____
On which tasks do workers have to stretch to pick up or lift materials?
 
Can the materials be kept closer?
Yes____ No ____

Tools

Are tools sharp and in good condition? Yes____ No____
Which tools are very heavy or not well balanced?
 
Which tools vibrate too much?
 
drill
Which tools must be used while in a difficult position?
 

Which tools have poor handle design?

  • grips too big or too small?
  • handles that are too short and dig into hands?
  • handles with ridges that dig into hands?
  • slippery handles?

Which tools require bending of wrists to use?
 
Do gloves ever make it hard to grip tools? Yes____ No____
Are there other tools with a better design? Yes____ No____
If yes, what are they?
 
 

Repetitive Work

Which tasks or jobs use the same motion dozens of times an hour for more than 1 hour per day?
 
What are the motions?
 
Can the number of repetitions be reduced by job rotation or rest breaks? Yes____ No____

Awkward Postures

Which tasks involve work above the shoulders for more than 1 hour a day?
 
Can scaffolds, platforms, or other equipment cut down on the need to work overhead? Yes____ No____
Which tasks or jobs involve work at floor level or on knees for more than 1 hour a day?
 
Are knee pads or cushions available and are they used?
Can equipment be used to reduce kneeling?
Yes____ No____ Yes____ No____
Which jobs require workers to stay in one position for a long time?
 
Can rotation or rest breaks be used to reduce time in awkward postures? Yes____ No____
Which jobs require a lot of twisting or turning?
 
Which jobs require a lot of bending?
 
How can the need to twist or bend be reduced?
 
 

Standing

 What jobs require workers to stand all day, especially on concrete floors?
 
Can anti-fatigue matting be used?
Is it possible to use adjustable stools to allow workers to rest now and then?
Yes____ No____
Yes____ No____

Surfaces for Walking and Working

Are working and walking surfaces clean and dry?
Are the surfaces unobstructed?
Are the surfaces even?
Yes____ No____
Yes____ No____
Yes____ No____

Seating

 What jobs require sitting all day?
 
Are the seats well-designed, easy to adjust, and comfortable?
In heavy equipment, do workers have to lean forward to see/do their work?
Does the seating in any heavy equipment vibrate a lot?
Yes____ No____
Yes____ No____
Yes____ No____

Production pressures

Do any workers work piece rate? Yes____ No____
Have supervisors or workers been under production pressures that could lead to shortcuts and injuries? Yes____ No____
How could this problem be reduced?
    More rest breaks?____
    More safety meetings?____
    A special safety rep on site?____
    Other____

Training

What training have workers had on ergonomics — preventing musculoskeletal disorders?
 
 
What training have supervisors had on ergonomics — preventing musculoskeletal disorders?
 

Musculoskeletal

Do workers feel free to report symptoms? Yes____ No____
Have any workers been reporting muscle pain, tingling, numbness, loss of strength, or loss of joint movement? Yes____ No____
If yes, where?
Back____ Neck____ Shoulder____ Arm____ Wrist____ Knee____
Which trades have the most problems?
 

And what may be the main cause(s)?

  • Repetitive motion____
  • Awkward postures_______
  • Fixed postures ____
  • Heavy lifting____
  • Not enough rest breaks ____
  • Other____

Do workers often appear exhausted at the end of the day? Yes____ No____

Solutions

What jobs on site are the most hazardous for musculoskeletal injuries?
 
Most hazardous jobs for musculoskeletal injuries
What has been done to get worker ideas to help reduce musculoskeletal injuries on the job?
 
What can be done working together to reduce these injuries?
 
What can be done to reduce the hazards or make the jobs easier?
 
Proposed solutions
Most effective Easiest to implement Least expensive
1. 1. 1.
2. 2. 2.
3. 3. 3.
4. 4. 4.
5. 5. 5.
Least effective Hardest to implement Most expensive