Role of work controls in preventive management of musculoskeletal disorders in building projects

Abstract

Despite extensive research on preventive and control, masonry workers continue to suffer from work-related musculoskeletal disorders worldwide. Administrative and engineering control interventions have not yielded the desired results, leading to a search for WMSD preventive solutions in organizational, cognitive, and participatory ergonomic fields. This study focused on the role of masonry work control in preventive management of musculoskeletal disorders in building projects: case study of masonry workers, Nairobi County, Kenya. Relevant literature was reviewed; knowledge gaps, applicable theories, methodology, and variables identified and objectives and research questions formulated. The null (Ho) hypothesis was that there was no statistically significant relationship between masonry work control practices (independent variable) and preventive management of work-related musculoskeletal disorders of masonry workers (dependent variable). The alternative (Ha) hypothesis was that there was a statistically significant relationship between the independent and the dependent variable of the study. The total study population consisted of masonry workers registered with NCA (2020) within the geographical area of the study. The sample size was determined using stratified random sampling, and the participants were selected using purposeful random sampling. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview guides, relevant books, journals, and online resources. Descriptive analysis was employed to identify central tendencies in the data. The Spearman rank-ordered correlation results (95% confidence level) revealed a moderate positive and statistically significant relationship between the independent and dependent variable of the study, rho (0. 001, p < 0.05. The masonry worker safety was undermined due to productivity prioritization over worker health and safety, under-representation on safety committees, inadequate training, insufficient guidance on compliance requirements; a lack of performance recognition, and appropriate workplace risk management strategy. Proposed interventions included review of existing training programs to include participatory ergonomic practices, occupational safety and health framework to include multifaceted stakeholders’ intervention, improving the work environment, communication, information sharing, statutory compliance, employer and worker incentive policies.