Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 10.2
Workers' Accounts of What
Activities They Were Engaged in While Lifting
Activity
No. of Accidents
Activity %
Carrying 133 15
Holding 96 11
Lifting 692 77
Lowering 107 12
Placing 145 16
Pulling 65 7
Pushing 39 4
Shoveling 14 2
Other 25 3
Total 906
Some workers reported more than one activity.
Workers were then asked what types of movements they were doing when their backs
were injured (Table 10.3). Again, many workers reported several simultaneous activities.
The most dangerous activity was bending, followed by twisting and turning. This verifies
what has been pointed out by many researchers: a combination
TABLE 10.3
Common Movements Undertaken
When the Back Was Injured
Activity
No. of Accidents % of Accidents
Bending
505
56
Climbing
16
2
Squatting
107
12
Standing
243
27
Stretching
141
16
Suddenly changing position
159
18
Twisting/turning
299
33
Walking
72
8
Other
26
3
Total
894
TABLE 10.4
Workers' Responses to the
Question “Was Lifting Equipment Available?”
Response
Number of
Accidents
% of
Accidents
Equipment not available
434
60
Equipment available but not used because:
Did not think it was necessary
61
9
It was not practical to use
121
17
It was not working
11
2
