Preventing WMSDs injuries among construction workers

Safety on construction sites is not only about preventing accidents but also about keeping construction workers healthy and preventing injuries.

Because of the nature of the tasks they perform on a daily basis, construction workers are at a high risk of developing work-related muskuloskeletal disorders (WMSDs) also known as soft tissues injuries.

Keeping  a worker free from injuries is a win win situation for both the employer and the worker

The Center for Construction Research and Training has been doing in-depth research in the field of work-related muskuloskeletal disorders and recently released training material that can be used by employers or contractors to teach their construction workers how to protect themselves from injuries during their daily activities on the job.

The first part of the training provides workers with a better understanding of what soft tissue injuries are and common hazards that cause these injuries as well as proper material lifting and handling to prevent them. Then workers apply the lessons by physically practicing the movements learned. They are also taught specific stretching exercises that can also help in preventing WMSD’s injuries. Because very often WMSD’s affect workers on a long term basis, the first part of the training also addresses the risk of opioid dependence. A power point presentation is available for download on the CPWR website and the first part is expected to take about an hour to go through.

The second part of the training consists of demonstration stations where workers will be taught and will have to execute proper movements for various liftings such as straight lift, power lift, golfer’s lift, two-person lifts of a single object or two objects and more  (see picture for example of a demonstration station)… Each station takes about 15 to 20 min.

The third part of the training informs construction workers about online resources available for them to consult. The presentation takes about 15 to 20 min.

A fourth part of the training module is a refresher intended for construction workers who already went through the first three parts because its always important to remind workers of the right movements so they can continue to be injury free.

Trainging material and additional resources are available for free on the CPWR website