Assessment of perceived traumatic injury hazards during drywall hanging

Workers who handle massive and bulky drywall sheets are at a high risk of t raumatic injuries. The objective of this study is to identify the drywall h andling tasks and activities which are directly perceived as hazardous by w orkers. A questionnaire survey was conducted for the study. In the question naire, three hanging tasks were included: (1) hanging drywall on the ceilin g; (2) hanging drywall on the upper half of the wall; and (3) hanging drywa ll on the lower half of the wall. Each of the three tasks was divided into 10 to 12 constituent activities. Supportive elevated equipment was also eva luated. Workers were instructed to rate the drywall-hanging tasks/activitie s and elevated equipment in regard to fall potential, perceived physical st ress, and risk of being struck by or against objects, using a seven-point s cale (1 = hardly at all to 7 = a great deal). Results from this study indic ate that all the ratings of fall potential, perceived physical stress, and risk of being struck by or against objects while hanging drywall on the cei ling were greater than while performing the other two tasks. Activities inv olving lifting/carrying/holding drywall sheets were rated as most physicall y stressful. Workers perceived greatest physical stress and fall potential when wearing stilts as compared to using ladders or scaffolds. The findings of this study provide detailed information directly from the workers about the hazards associated with drywall hanging. Results from this study will assist in focusing future research efforts on the most hazardous tasks and activities of drywall hanging.