Construction Ergonomics Checklist
CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training
Summary Statement
A review of tools, tasks, and work postures common on construction worksite to guide your effort to identify and mitigate ergonomic hazards.
2010
To be filled out and updated jointly by contractors and union reps — every 2 weeks or as a site changes. This document is intended to help develop an “eye” for ergonomic problems and prevent injuries.
Date:___/____/_____
Site: ___________
General contractor:___________
Union rep:___________
Subcontractor:___________
Signature:________________________________ (Person filling out this form)
Materials Handling
 What heavy materials or equipment are being handled on site — drywall, rebar, concrete forms, anything over 20 pounds?
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| Do any workers have to lift more than 50 pounds at one time without help? | Yes____ No____ | ||
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Do workers have to lift more than 20 pounds often? If yes, how can this be changed? |
Yes____ No____ | ||
| Are there handles to help carry materials? If yes, are the handles easy to use and comfortable? |
Yes____
No____ Yes____ No____ |
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| Are workers told to get someone’s help to lift heavy materials? Are there carts, dollies, or other aids readily available for moving materials? If yes, are the carts being used? If no, why not? |
Yes____
No____
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| If no, is the site clear enough to permit the use of carts? | Yes____ No____ | ||
| Are materials delivered as close as possible to where they will be used? If no, how can this be changed? |
Yes____ No____ | ||
| On what jobs do workers have to lift overhead?
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| Are materials stored at floor or ground level? If yes, do workers have to bend down to lift materials? |
Yes____
No____ Yes____ No____ |
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| Can the materials be stored at waist height? | Yes____ No____ | ||
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On which tasks do workers have to stretch to pick up or lift materials?
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Yes____ No ____ | ||
Tools
| Are tools sharp and in good condition? | Yes____ No____ | ||
| Which tools are very heavy or not well balanced?
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| Which tools must be used while in a difficult position?
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Which tools have poor handle design?
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| Which tools require bending of wrists to use?
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| Do gloves ever make it hard to grip tools? | Yes____ No____ | ||
| Are there other tools with a better design? | Yes____ No____ | ||
| If yes, what are they?
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Repetitive Work
| Which tasks or jobs use the same motion dozens of times an hour for more than 1 hour per day?
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| Can the number of repetitions be reduced by job rotation or rest breaks? | Yes____ No____ | |||
Awkward Postures
| Which tasks involve work above the shoulders for more than 1 hour a day? |
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| Can scaffolds, platforms, or other equipment cut down on the need to work overhead? | Yes____ No____ | |||
| Which tasks or jobs involve work at floor level or on knees for more than 1 hour a day?
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| Are knee pads or cushions available and are they used? Can equipment be used to reduce kneeling? |
Yes____ No____ Yes____ No____ | |||
| Which jobs require workers to stay in one position for a long time?
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| Can rotation or rest breaks be used to reduce time in awkward postures? | Yes____ No____ | |||
| Which jobs require a lot of twisting or turning? |
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Standing
What jobs require workers to stand all day, especially on concrete floors?
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| Can
anti-fatigue matting be used? Is it possible to use adjustable stools to allow workers to rest now and then? |
Yes____ No____ Yes____ No____ |
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Surfaces for Walking and Working
| Are working and walking surfaces clean and dry? Are the surfaces unobstructed? Are the surfaces even? |
Yes____
No____ Yes____ No____ Yes____ No____ |
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Seating
What jobs require sitting all day?
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| Are the seats well-designed, easy to adjust, and comfortable? In heavy equipment, do workers have to lean forward to see/do their work? Does the seating in any heavy equipment vibrate a lot? |
Yes____ No____ Yes____ No____ Yes____ No____ |
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Production pressures
| Do any workers work piece rate? | Yes____ No____ | |
| Have supervisors or workers been under production pressures that could lead to shortcuts and injuries? | Yes____ No____ | |
How could this problem be reduced?
More safety meetings?____ A special safety rep on site?____ Other____ |
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Training
| What training have workers had on ergonomics — preventing musculoskeletal disorders?
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| What training have supervisors had on ergonomics — preventing musculoskeletal disorders?
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Musculoskeletal
| Do workers feel free to report symptoms? | Yes____ No____ | ||
| Have any workers been reporting muscle pain, tingling, numbness, loss of strength, or loss of joint movement? | Yes____ No____ | If
yes, where? Back____ Neck____ Shoulder____ Arm____ Wrist____ Knee____ |
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| Which trades have the most problems?
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And what may be the main cause(s)?
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| Do workers often appear exhausted at the end of the day? | Yes____ No____ | ||
Solutions
| What jobs on site are the most hazardous for musculoskeletal injuries?
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Most hazardous jobs for musculoskeletal injuries
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| What has been done to get worker ideas to help reduce musculoskeletal injuries on the job?
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| What can be done working together to reduce these injuries?
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What can be done to reduce the hazards or make the jobs easier?
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| Proposed solutions | ||
| Most effective | Easiest to implement | Least expensive |
| 1. | 1. | 1. |
| 2. | 2. | 2. |
| 3. | 3. | 3. |
| 4. | 4. | 4. |
| 5. | 5. | 5. |
| Least effective | Hardest to implement | Most expensive |
