Page 83 - OHS, October 2023

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are common work- related ailments... potentially leading to immobility. necessity of getting OSHA 30 Construction training. You can start your OSHA safety training through Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) service, which will convert the payment into four man- ageable installments. According to Liberty Mutual, cases related to overexertion injuries caused by pulling, holding, pushing, lifting, throwing and carrying objects — which are common in the construction industry — cost employers around $13.4 billion every year. In addition, as per the evaluation of OSHA, about 340 million oc- cupational injuries3 occur throughout the United States annually. Therefore, it’s crucial to develop a sense of understanding about the potential workplace hazards that can cause severe accidents and difficulties in the progress of various job operations in the construction industry to avoid workplace injuries occurring in the workplace. When it comes to the specific MSDs that cause high costs to employers, arthritis is one of them. According to the National Ar- thritis Data Workgroup, there were 27 million adults living with osteoarthritis4, and 13 million reported symptomatic hand os- teoarthritis. Occupations like agriculture and construction were among the industries at the forefront of having the most patients. This became the most crucial disease that needed quick regula- tions to ensure the safety of workers. Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Construction Industry In the construction industry, many different types of jobs are linked to several work-related injuries and diseases. Workers who paint and work overhead may experience neck and shoul- der problems. Similarly, those who work at floor or knee level are prone to knee injuries. So here is a brief description of what situations lead to workers experiencing MSDs: Forcefulness or muscle effort. When workers exert force on their muscles in the wrong posture and angle, muscle cramps and strains are caused. The way you grip an object and the right spot from where you generate the force to pull or push the heavy ob- ject can affect your health. Awkward body postures. The second most common scenario is prolonged awkward body postures. Whether you’re an onsite worker or an offsite manager, you cannot force your body to stay in an awkward posture for a long time or do it regularly. Repetitive work. Screwing drywall, nailing and drilling are some common repetitive tasks in the construction industry. Do- ing such motions regularly and for prolonged hours causes mus- cle, joints and tendons stress. www.ohsonline.com OCTOBER 2023 | Occupational Health & Safety 83 Visit us at NSC! Booth #5858 Flame-resistant clothing made by women for women. SCAN ME!