Affiliations: Department of Work Environment, University of
Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Priyadarshini Sengupta Dasgupta, MS,
Department of Work Environment, University of Massachusetts Lowell, One
University Avenue, Lowell, MA 01854, USA. Tel.: +1 617 283 1070; Fax: +1 978
452 5711; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Objective: The study was conducted to assess the physical/ergonomic
exposures that may lead to musculoskeletal injuries of Pile Drivers. Participants: Pile Drivers in the Greater Boston area. Methods: A hierarchical taxonomy for pile driving work was developed
with tasks and activities defined within each of seven main pile driving
operations. Exposures were characterized for the pile driving work with the
PATH (Posture, Activity, Tools, and Handling) method. Data on working posture
were collected for three main body parts: legs, arm and trunk. Results: A total of 8,301 observations were made on 29 Pile Drivers,
on a total of 6 work sites. The lagging operation had the highest percentage of
observations with non-neutral trunk (46.8%), and leg (41.0%) postures, as well
as one of the lowest percentages for working on stable ground (9.0%) as
observed during the lagging operation. The bracing operation had the lowest
percentage for working on stable ground (0.3%). The slurry wall operation also
had a low percentage of work on stable ground (6.0%). Compared to the awkward
trunk and leg postures, the arm postures were less frequently observed as being
awkward or non-neutral. Conclusion: The results indicate of significant exposures that could
lead to musculoskeletal injuries of the back and legs for the Pile Drivers. The
unstable ground conditions seemed to be one of the main concerns for this
job.
Keywords: MSDs, construction, occupational MSD exposure for Pile Drivers
