M. Dimov et al., Exertion and body discomfort perceived symptoms associated with carpentry tasks: an on-site evaluation, AIHAJ, 61(5), 2000, pp. 685-691
The purpose of this study was to determine how carpenters subjectively perc
eived the exertion level and body discomfort associated with their daily ta
sks. Two psychophysical instruments were utilized, The Borg Whole Body Phys
ical Exertion Instrument, a measure of overall physics demand, and the Body
Segment instrument (modified Bishop-Corlett Scale), a measure of body disc
omfort, were given to 73 carpenters at the end of a shift. Carpenty special
ties evaluated included ceiling, drywall, formwork, finishing work, pile dr
iving, fixtures, welding, and scaffolding. The mean Borg's exertion score f
or the subjects combining all specialties was 14.4 (+/-2.51 standard deviat
ion), a score between "somewhat hard" and "hard," The perception of whole b
ody physical exertion appeared to be a consequence of the specific task. Th
ere was no significant correlation between whole body physical exertion per
ception and age or the number of years as a carpenter, The findings from th
e body discomfort scale for the total group indicated that the three primar
y discomfort frequencies by body segment were mid-to-lower back (65.8%), kn
ees (45.2%), and the neck (28.8%), The next highest discomfort rating by bo
dy segment (back, knee, right wrist, right leg/foot, and right shoulder) fo
r those subjects in the top three job specialties represented (drywall, cei
ling, and formwork; n = 38) resulted in significantly higher ratings for ba
ck (60.5%) than right leg/foot (34.2%) and right shoulder (31.6%). All othe
r body segment ratings were not significantly different from one another us
ing Tukey's studentized range test.