Assessment of perceived traumatic injury hazards during drywall taping andsanding

The objective of this study was to identify the drywall finishing tasks whi ch are directly perceived as hazardous by workers. A questionnaire survey w as conducted to evaluate workers' perceived injury hazards (physical stress , fall potential, and struck by/against an object) for six finishing tasks (4 taping and 2 sanding tasks) and three items of elevated support equipmen t. Thirty experienced drywall finishers participated in this study. The rat ings of perceived physical stress and fall potential varied significantly a mong the six tasks (both p values < 0.05). Subjects perceived greater physi cal stress for the two drywall sanding tasks than the four taping tasks. Sa nding skimmed drywall without the use of pole sanders, in particular sandin g ceiling joints, nails, and corners was rated most stressful. Wrists/hands and shoulders were identified as the most affected body part subject to ph ysical stress during drywall taping and sanding. Tasks performed with the u se of stilts were rated as having greater fall potential than those without using stilts. The activity of putting on stilts and getting up on them was most likely to cause loss of balance. Results from this study provide info rmation directly from experienced workers to help identify hazardous tasks and activities associated with drywall finishing. The findings will assist in focusing future research efforts on the most hazardous tasks and activit ies of drywall finishing.