Citation

Kumar S. Int. J. Ind. Ergonomics 1991; 8(3): 197-204.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1991, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The injury profile of the construction industry in the province of Alberta has been reviewed in the Canadian context. The construction industry in Canada was the fourth highest for lost-time claims behind manufacturing, services and trades. However, lost-time claim rates in the construction industry in the year 1988 was 10.9% more than double of industrial average and second only to forestry. The majority of lost-time accidents (60%-70%) were experienced by workers below the age of 35 years. Overexertion was the most common cause of injury (24.5%) and most frequent nature of injury was sprains and strains (42.3%). 35.5% of the injured workers were absent from work for less than 5 days. Introduction of a non-monetary motivational team award in a large company resulted in a reduction of approximately 50% in the frequency of injury. The causes, types and the severity of injury remained unchanged.