Developing an Integrated Design Model For Construction Ergonomics in Nigeria Construction Industry

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Construction is generally believed to be a fragmented industry, integration and coordination among different processes and parties is considered to be the ways of resolving the problems created by the fragmentation on health and safety (H&S) of construction workers. Construction workers experience a higher incidence rate of work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMDs) resulting in days away from work and affect the rate of productivity. Workers’ health and safety issues are not built into the design process and the designers of the project have a very little influence on the construction process methods and materials used. This paper aims at  promoting the integration of health and safety practitioners and the construction manager early in the design and documentation stage in order to create an integrated design  for construction ergonomics which is implemented at the construction phase to allow for the upheld of construction safety of workers against WMDs. Furthermore an integrated model is proposed and developed from both literature and questionnaire survey so as to provide a structured systemic process which practitioners in the building industry can adopt in reducing the impact of WMDs in construction operations in Nigeria construction industry. The findings advocate that the introduction of construction manager and the health and safety practitioner be involved early in the design phase (integrated design team) and as part of integrative monitoring officer at the construction phase. This is found to optimize the operational system of workplace ergonomics among construction workers and promotes safe work practices associated through designing which is believed to be a source to preventing WMDs in the construction field.

Keywords: Health, Safety, Construction, Musculoskeletal, Disorders