An Ergonomic Assessment for Sequencing of Labor Intensive Task in a Construction Industry in Cavite

Authors: Mark Joseph C. Calub, Lester Jhayke C. Sernio, and Gerry M. Castillo

Abstract: This study was conducted from August 2017 to April 2017 in Cavite to diminish the risk of amplifying work-related musculoskeletal disorder by controlling collective element of physical exposure to construction jobs in the sequence of the construction schedule of Cavite construction industry. Data were collected from numerous sources: allusions from construction planning books and construction professionals; task evaluation for MSD risk level using RULA and REBA worksheet with five participating construction project per identified tasks; and survey for discomfort level using CMDQ with two respondents for each of the construction project. The result showed that the discomfort level, posture risk level and MSD risk level of the majority of the construction tasks were at mild to moderately discomfort level, at medium posture risk, and at medium MSD risk level respectively. The relationship between the discomfort and risk level were at positive moderately high correlation. The construction task evaluation, the level of risk to musculoskeletal disorder, was taken into consideration for creating new sequence of task for every phase of construction. The construction sequences were designed as; a. diminishing levels of musculoskeletal activities; and b. minimize repetitive levels of musculoskeletal activities. The task sequences were proposed to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorder to the workers of the construction industry and put forward to be instigated.

Keywords: MSDs, REBA, RULA, CMDQ, Sequencing