CoChat
Sign Up
Cited by 135Occupational Health and Safety in WorkplacesOccupational Health and Safety ResearchOccupational Health and Safety Management

Building healthy construction workers: Their views on health, wellbeing and better workplace design

Open access
Eaves, S., Gyi, D.E., Gibb, A.G.F.·2016·Applied Ergonomics
DOI 10.1016/j.apergo.2015.11.004
Open this paper in CoChat — free accountOpen PDF

Abstract

Construction is a heavy manual industry where working into later life can be a challenge. An interview study was conducted to explore workers' understanding of their health at work and ways of making their jobs easier, safer or more comfortable. Using purposive sampling, 80 trades' workers were selected from construction sites in the UK. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and Work Ability Index were used to explore aches and pains and reducing strain on the body. A high prevalence of symptoms was reported and ratings of work ability were high. Workers were aware of the physical demands of their work and had over 250 ideas around health and wellbeing e.g. rucksacks for tools, bespoke benches, adapting PPE, and higher cost solutions e.g. mechanical lifting aids. Engagement of the workforce should be encouraged and feed into change processes in the industry to enable all workers stay fit for work for longer.

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

A few free checks a day · papers already verified open instantly · results are public

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/j.apergo.2015.11.004

Cites

2 of 2 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Claims the paper makes

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

A few free checks a day · papers already verified open instantly · results are public

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Participatory ergonomic interventions optimize physical conditions and foster greater commitment and job satisfaction.

    “Este enfoque participativo no solo optimiza las condiciones corporales, sino que igualmente fomenta un mayor compromiso y satisfacción laboral.”

    From Impact of ergonomics on work performance in the manufacturing industry: A systematic review (2025) · cites this paper as [16]

    The Introduction describes benefits for workplace and equipment design and gives examples of participatory changes that improve posture, supporting the physical-conditions part. It also describes encouraging worker engagement, but neither the Introduction nor the Conclusions establishes that participatory interventions increase job satisfaction or sustained job commitment. The paper presents potential benefits rather than showing that interventions consistently optimize conditions. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • MSDs predominantly affect the lumbar zone, shoulders, and arms, but also impact other body areas such as neck, wrists, and lower extremities.

    “Estas lesiones afectan predominantemente la zona lumbar, los hombros y los brazos [8], aunque también impactan otras áreas del cuerpo, como el cuello, las muñecas y las extremidades inferiores [8], [16], [27].”

    From Impact of ergonomics on work performance in the manufacturing industry: A systematic review (2025) · cites this paper as [16]

    Section 4.1.1 and Tables 3–5 report symptoms in the lower back, shoulders, elbows, neck, wrists/hands, knees and ankles/feet. They do not support the claimed predominance of the shoulders and arms: Section 4.1.2 identifies wrists/hands, lower back and knees as particularly prevalent among electricians, and the tables generally show higher prevalence in wrists/hands and knees than in shoulders or elbows. Page numbers are not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

The self-check needs the paper’s full text.

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 40

  1. Arndt, V., Rothenbacher, D., Brenner, H., Fraisse, E., Zschenderlein, B., Daniel, U., Schuberth, S., Fliedner, T.M., 1996. Older workers in the construction industry: results of a routine health examination and a five year follow up. Occup. En- viron. Med. 53, 686e691. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/oem.53.10.686. · DOI
  2. Cook, T.M., Rosecrance, J.C., Zimmerman, C.L., 1996. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in bricklaying: a symptom and job factors survey and guidelines for improvements. Appl. Occup. Environ. Hyg. 11 (11), 1335e1339. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1080/1047322X.1996.10389421. · DOI
  3. Crawford, J., 2007. The nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire. Occup. Med. 57, 300e301. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqm036. · DOI
  4. Damman, M., Henkens, K., Kalmijn, M., 2013. Missing work after retirement: the role of life histories in the retirement adjustment process. Gerontologist. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnt169. · DOI
  5. Davies, R., Harty, C., 2014. Initial use of an idea capture app in a UK construction organisation. In: Raiden, A., Aboagye-Nimo, E. (Eds.), Proceedings 30th Annual ARCOM Conference, 1e3 September 2014, Portsmouth, UK, Association of Re- searchers in Construction Management, pp. 987e996.
  6. de Jong, A.M., Vink, P., 2002. Participatory ergonomics applied in installation work. Appl. Ergon. 33, 439e448. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0003-6870(02)00033-9. · DOI
  7. Dement, J.M., Ringen, K., Welch, L.S., Bingham, E., Quinn, P., 2009. Mortality of older construction and craft workers employed at Department of Energy (DOE) Nu- clear sites. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52 (9), 671e682. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ ajim.20729. · DOI
  8. Feeney, R.J., 1986. Why is there resistance to wearing protective equipment at work? possible strategies for overcoming this. J. Occup. Accid. 8, 207e213. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0376-6349(86)90006-4. · DOI
  9. Gosling, E.Y., Gyi, D.E., Gibb, A., Haslam, R., 2012. Ageing productively through design: a survey of cement manufacturing workers. Aging Soc. An Interdiscip. J. 1 (4), 1e20.
  10. Hengel, K.M.O., Blatter, B.M., Geuskense, G.A., Koppes, L.J.L., Bongers, P.M., 2012. Factors associated with the ability and willingness to continue working until the age of 65 in construction workers. Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health 85 (7), 783e790. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00420-011-0719-3. · DOI
  11. Hignett, S., Wilson, J.R., Morris, W., 2005. Finding ergonomics solutions e partici- patory approaches. Occup. Med. 55, 200e207. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ occmed/kqi084. · DOI
  12. Ilmarinen, J., Tuomi, K., Klockars, M., 1997. Changes in the work ability of active employees over an 11-year period. Scand. J. Work, Environ. Health 23 (1), 49e57.
  13. Ilmarinen, J., Rantanen, J., 1999. Promotion of work ability during ageing. Am. J. Ind. Med. Suppl. 1, 21e23. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0274(199909)36:1. · DOI
  14. J€ arvholm, B., Stattin, M., Robroek, S.J.W., Janlert, U., Karlsson, B., Burdorf, A., 2014. Heavy work and disability pension e a long term follow-up of Swedish con- struction workers. Scand. J. Work Environ. Health 40 (4), 335e342.
  15. Kee, D., Karwowski, W., 2001. LUBA: an assessment technique for postural loading on the upper body based on joint motion discomfort and maximum holding time. Appl. Ergon. 32 (4), 357e366.
  16. Koningsveld, E.A.P., van der Molen, H.F., 1997. History and future of ergonomics in building and construction. Ergonomics 40 (10), 1025e1034. http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1080/001401397187586. · DOI
  17. Kuorinka, I., Jonsson, B., Kilbom, A., Vinterberg, H., Biering-Sorensen, F., Andersson, G., Jorgensen, K., 1987. Standardised Nordic questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms. Appl. Ergon. 18 (3), 233e237. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1016/0003-6870(87)90010-X. · DOI
  18. Lemasters, G.K., Atterbury, M.R., Booth-Jones, A.D., Bhattacharya, A., Ollila-Glenn, N., Forrester, C., Forst, L., 1998. Prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disor- ders in active union carpenters. Occup. Environ. Med. 55 (6), 421e427. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1136/oem.55.6.421. · DOI
  19. LeMasters, G., Bhattacharya, A., Borton, E., Mayfield, L., 2006. Functional impair- ment and quality of life in retired workers of the construction trades. Exp. Aging Res. An Int. J. Devoted Sci. Study Aging Process 32 (2), 227e242. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1080/03610730600554065. · DOI
  20. Liira, J., Matikainen, E., Leino-Arjas, P., Malmivaara, A., Mutanen, P., Rytk€ onen, H., Juntunen, J., 2000. Work ability of middle-aged Finnish construction workers e a follow-up study in 1991e1995. Int. J. Ind. Ergon. 25, 477e481. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0169-8141(99)00032-3. · DOI
  21. Loch, C., Sting, F., Bauer, N., Mauermann, H., 2010. How BMW is defusing the de- mographic time bomb. Harv. Bus. Rev. 88 (3), 99e102.
  22. Lombardi, D.A., Verma, S.K., Brennan, M.L., Perry, M.J., 2009. Factors influencing worker use of personal protective eyewear. Accid. Anal. Prev. 41, 755e762. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aa.2009.03.017. · DOI
  23. Loretto, W., White, P., 2006. Employers' attitudes, practices and policies towards older workers. Hum. Resour. Manag. J. 16 (3), 313e330. http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1111/j.1748-8583.2006.00013.x. · DOI
  24. McMahan, S., Chikamoto, Y., 2006. Minimizing musculoskeletal discomfort in the workplace: an age based approach. Calif. J. Health Promot. 4 (3), 92e102.
  25. Moriguchi, C.S., Carnaz, L., Veiersted, K.B., Hanvold, T.N., Haeg, L.B., Hansson, G.A., Coury, H.J.C.G., 2013. Occupational posture exposure among construction electricians. Appl. Ergon. 44, 86e92. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/ j.apergo.2012.05.002. · DOI
  26. Ortengren, R., Cederqvist, T., Lindberg, M., Magnusson, B., 1991. Workload in lower arm and shoulder when using manual and powered screwdrivers at different working heights. Int. J. Ind. Ergon. 8, 225e235. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0169- 8141(91)90034-J. · DOI
  27. Pohjonen, T., 2001. Perceived work ability of home care workers in relation to in- dividual and work-related factors in different age groups. Occup. Med. 51 (3), 209e217.
  28. Punchihewa, H., Gyi, D., 2009. Development of a QFD based collaborative design approach to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Des. Princ. Pract. An Int. J. 3 (6), 209e223.
  29. Rawlinson, F., Farrell, P., 2008. Construction: a culture for concern? In: Dainty, A. (Ed.), Proceedings of 24th Annual ARCOM Conference, 1e3 September 2008, Cardiff, UK, Association of Researchers in Construction Management, pp. 1093e1102.
  30. Riemer, J.W., 1979. Hard Hats: the Work World of Construction Workers. Sage Publications, London.
  31. Robson, C., 2011. Real World Research, fourth ed. Blackwell, Oxford.
  32. Sang, K., Gyi, D., Haslam, C., 2010. Musculoskeletal symptoms in pharmaceutical sales representatives. Occup. Med. 60 (2), 108e114.
  33. Shephard, R.J., 1999. Age and physical work capacity. Exp. Aging Res. An Int. J. Devoted Sci. Study Ageing Process 25 (4), 331e343. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/ 036107399243788. · DOI
  34. Taylor, P.E., Walker, A., 1994. The ageing workforce: employers' attitudes towards older people. Work Employ. Soc. 8 (4), 569e591. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/ 095001709484005. · DOI
  35. Tookey, M., Chan, P., 2001. Respect for people: looking at KPIS through 'younger eyes'! In: Akintoye, A. (Ed.), 17th Annual ARCOM Conference, 5e7 September 2001, 1. University of Salford. Association of Researchers in Construction Man- agement, pp. 671e680.
  36. Van der Molen, H.F., Sluiter, J.K., Hulshof, C.T.J., Vink, P., van Duivenbooden, C., Holman, R., Frings-Dresen, M.H.W., 2005. Implementation of participatory er- gonomics intervention in construction companies. Scand. Work Environ. Health 31 (3), 191e204.
  37. Walker, A., Maltby, T., 2012. Active ageing: a strategic policy solution to de- mographic ageing in the European Union. Int. J. Soc. Welf. 21, 117e130. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2397.2012.00871.x. · DOI
  38. Whysall, Z., Haslam, C., Haslam, R., 2007. Developing the stage of change approach for the reduction of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. J. Health Psychol. 12 (1), 184e197. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1359105307071753. · DOI
  39. Williams, E.Y., Gibb, A.G.F., Gyi, D.E., Haslam, R.H., 2011. Constructive ageing: a survey of workers in the construction industry. In: Proceedings of CIB W099 International Conference, 24the28th August, Washingon D.C., USA.
  40. Wilson, J.R., 1995. Solution ownership in participative work redesign: the case of a crane control room. Int. J. Ind. Ergon. 15, 329e344. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/ 0169-8141(94)00080-M. · DOI

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Eaves, S., Gyi, D. E., & Gibb, A. G. F.
Affiliations
Loughborough University (GB)
Corresponding author
Gyi, D.E.
ORCID
Venue
Applied Ergonomics
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2016-05
Volume
54
Pages
10-18
ISSN
0003-6870 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.apergo.2015.11.004
OpenAlex
W2194744861
Cited by
135
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 25 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 1
FWCI
19.93
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Applied Ergonomics (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Loughborough University Research Repository (Loughborough University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Loughborough University Institutional Repository (Loughborough University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Occupational Health and Safety in Workplaces
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Radiological and Ultrasound Technology › Occupational Health and Safety Research
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Occupational Health and Safety Management
Keywords
construction workers, musculoskeletal symptoms, occupational health, employee well-being, workplace design, work ability, older workers, manual labor, ergonomic interventions, lifting aids, personal protective equipment, employee engagement, Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, Work Ability Index
MeSH terms
Adult, Female, United Kingdom, Humans, Ergonomics, Male, Middle Aged, Musculoskeletal Diseases, Occupational Diseases, Pain, Surveys and Questionnaires, Sprains and Strains, Prevalence, Occupational Health, Workload, Workplace, Qualitative Research, Construction Industry

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review