World at work: Bricklayers and bricklayers’ assistants

• Published in: Occupational and environmental medicine (London, England) Vol. 61; no. 1; pp. 89 - 93
• Main Authors: van der Molen, H F, Veenstra, S J, Sluiter, J K, Frings-Dresen, M H W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.01.2004; BMJ Publishing Group; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Group
• Subjects: bricklayers; Bricklaying; Bricks; Construction industries; Construction Materials - adverse effects; Construction workers; Dust; Ergonomics; Ground transportation; health and safety risks; Humans; Manual labor; Mortars; Occupational Diseases - etiology; Occupational Diseases - prevention & control; Occupational Health; preventive measures; Quartz; Safety Management - methods; Workload; Workloads; Workplaces; World at Work; United States > US; Netherlands
• ISSN: 1351-0711; 1470-7926
• DOI: 10.1136/oem.2002.001750

An overview is presented of the tasks, health and safety risks, and control measures to reduce or eliminate hazards involved in bricklaying. Hazards include physical work demands and workload, toxic substances, noise, vibration, climate, occupational accidents, and psychosocial work demands. Tables provide details of time spent on various tasks by Dutch bricklayers and of the occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints. Consensus-based ergonomic measures for reducing the physical work demands and safety measures for preventing accidents are included. 43 refs.