An ergonomic study of blocklaying

Construction workers are a high-risk group for work related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) with Blocklayers being among one of the highest risk trades. The increasing prevalence of such disorders is extremely disturbing for affected individuals in terms of pain and suffering, and in the significant financial losses experienced by them, employees, and the economy. This research project involves an ergonomic risk assessment to investigate MSDs in the Irish blocklaying industry. Initial results, using the Quick Exposure Check, demonstrates that blocklayers have a high probability of contracting MSDs of the wrists, back, shoulder, and neck. Higher activity levels were recorded for the dominant and non-dominant erector spinae and trapezius muscles during lifting tasks when compares to non-lifting tasks using Electromyography analysis.