Engaging Construction Contractors to Identify Barriers and Promising Practices to Reduce the Risk for Occupational Injuries Associated With Manual Materials Handling

Abstract

Overexertion injuries related to lifting, pushing, pulling, holding, or carrying objects are a leading cause of occupational injury in the construction industry. Although significant research exists on interventions and practices that could reduce the risk for these injuries, adoption by construction employers has been slow. Ergonomics researchers and safety advocates have struggled to effectively promote safer manual materials handling (MMH) in the complex and dynamic environment of construction sites. Our Ergonomics Community of Practice conducted formative research on the extent to which construction contractors are taking action to reduce MMH injuries, the barriers to engaging in safer practices, and how safety-minded contractors successfully overcame common barriers and associated risks on their job sites. These “positive deviants” used similar strategies regardless of their size or trade. Their strategies suggest fresh opportunities for repositioning and promoting safer MMH practices and increasing their use in the construction industry.