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Education and the Prevention of Low Back Pain in Construction Workers (1997 to 2000)
Margareta Nordin (PI), David Goldsheyder, Manny Halpern, Rudi Hiebert, Shira Schecter Weiner
The purpose of this project is to increase knowledge related to the musculoskeletal injuries
and disabilities in construction laborers represented by the Laborers' International Union of
North America (LIUNA)
in New York. The low back is the most frequently injured body part amongst
construction laborers and is the most frequent source of pain complaints. Low back problems
frequently command the use of health care and result in lost work time. OIOC will collaborate
closely on this project with the New York Commission for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH).
The aim of this project is to develop a model by which local labor organizations can work together
with ergonomics experts and local community resources to reduce morbidity associated with
occupational musculoskeletal disorders. The components of the demonstration project include the
following
- a description of the demographic, temporal, geographic and injury characteristics of acute musculoskeletal
injuries to those construction workers represented by LIUNA in New York City,
- the development and implementation of a pilot program teaching union trade instructors to incorporate
ergonomic principles, ergonomic hazard recognition and safe materials handling practices in their
regular training curriculum;
- the development of a syllabus and
training kit;
- an evaluation of the pilot education program, and,
- recommendations for the institutionalization and dissemination
of the pilot project.
The methodology we will use to gather necessary data includes an epidemiological survey questionnaire,
site visits, review of existing training materials for ergonomic hazards and focus group interviews.
As a result of the information gathered, recommendations for revisions to the existing model trade
instruction materials will be made and a training kit will be developed for the train-the trainer program.
NYCOSH will then train the model trade trainers. The focus of this training will be on hazard
identification and problem solving using case material collected during the site visits.
An evaluation of the trainers' performance will be conducted at the beginning of the first workshop,
the end of the last session and at three months after the last sessions. Finally, recommendations
will be developed for expanding this program to other trades statewide. This includes a certification
for those who complete the training program, recommendations of materials suitable for a web site, health
promotion pamphlets, and surveillance of low back injuries. |
