AN INVESTIGATION OF CUMULATIVE TRAUMA DISORDERS IN THE CONSTRUCTION-INDUSTRY

Disorders associated with repeated trauma were the most common occupat ional illness in 1991, accounting for 61% of all occupational illnesse s (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Research on cumulative trauma injuries in the construction industry is scarce. Therefore, the purpose of thi s research was to investigate factors associated with the development of cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) in the construction industry. Ad ditionally, this research evaluates the types of CTDs most prevalent i n the construction industry. Results of this research show seven commo n CTDs prevalent in the construction industry: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tennis Elbow, Trigger Finger, Arthritis of the Thumb, Thumb/Wrist Ten dinitis, Vibration Syndrome and Impingement. An index was developed to rank tasks based on possible development of CTDs by quantifying facto rs that contribute to the occurrence of these CTDs such as tool design , work task design, awkward posture, repetition, and application of fo rce. Relevance to industry This paper presents an empirical approach f or quantifying the risk of developing CTDs while performing common job tasks within the construction industry.