Manual Bar Bending—An Occupational Hazard for Construction Workers in Developing Nations
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 133, Issue 10
Abstract
Bar bending is the process of bending reinforcement bars to required angles in civil and construction engineering. Manual bar bending involves strenuous physical activity, which is usually performed in a poor ergonomic environment at a construction worksite. This could lead to chronic musculoskeletal disorders such as low back pain among bar benders. The aim of this study is to assess the ergonomics of manual bar bending and thereby develop a customized optimal workplace for bar bending. Biomechanical analysis was done using a three-dimensional Schultz–Andersson model to determine the influence of the diameter of the bar on the compressive force at . The effect of table height, grip arm distance, and back bend angle on were also evaluated. decreased up to 53%, with an increase of table height by , and up to 41%, with an increase of grip arm distance by ; however it increased with back bend angle. was higher than the NIOSH safety limit of in all cases except when bending bars. A quick field reference for optimal table height and grip arm distance was prepared based on subjects’ anthropometry and diameter, using Nash bargaining principles.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 133 • Issue 10 • October 2007
Pages: 791 - 797
Copyright
© 2007 ASCE.
History
Received: Jul 26, 2005
Accepted: Mar 2, 2007
Published online: Oct 1, 2007
Published in print: Oct 2007
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