Sectorial Analysis of Occupational Health and Safety

**3**

**Chapter 1**

**Abstract**

hazards

**1. Introduction**

more on the outcome than a safe procedure.

**2. Drywall panel installation**

*Priyadarshini Dasgupta*

The Importance of Exposure

Construction as an Example

Assessment in Blue Collar Jobs:

Exposure to musculoskeletal disorder (MSDs) risk factors are not only common but also omnipresent in almost every workplace. The purpose of this chapter is to describe how we can attempt to reduce the exposure to the risk factor in order to attain a reduction in negative physiological outcomes (like injuries and illnesses). Blue collar jobs are often subject to heavy manual handling and intervening these jobs with any new technique is burdensome. This chapter gives the example of construction job as a blue collar and hard to reach job in which an intervention was implemented in a systematic way.

**Keywords:** construction, intervention, exposure, physical, ceiling, installation,

The construction sector is dynamic and usually follows a rigid work schedule. The high number of acute and chronic injuries and illnesses put construction sector as one of the most dangerous workplaces in the United States. Due to the production-oriented nature of the job, exposure to the risk factors is not uncommon in construction related jobs. Opportunity of using the personal protective equipment (PPEs) is not scarce but high production pressure necessitates the workers to focus

The author of this chapter has carried out several focus groups in different construction sectors in greater Boston area. In the author's experience, the workers most of the time, discussed on the issues of the weight of the panels. It is noteworthy that in any focus groups, the workers did not participate well if the facilitator used words like 'safety', 'problem', 'research' or 'solution'. However, the workers spontaneously participated while they were asked about 'any concern they can share' with the facilitator. In such focus groups, the workers were supposed to brainstorm with any possible ideas of implementing or using an assistive device for ceiling installation. Before we learn about the possible solutions, let us have a look at

The main operation of drywall carpentry is installation of the drywall panels onto the walls and ceilings. Installation of drywall panels is faster and cheaper than

the problems associated with ceiling installation in the following.
