Análisis de riesgos ergonómicos en los trabajadores de operaciones de obra civil y su relación con la productividad, aplicado a EMAPAL EP

Abstract

A study of ergonomic risk factors has been developed with construction workers of EMAPAL EP. Subsequently, with the gathered data, it was analyzed the effect of those factors in absenteeism. The objectives of the study were to determine the activities which represent ergonomic risks in the studied population; to apply the NIOSH Equation, the OWAS method and OCRA Checklist method for specific assessment; to identify its effect on productivity, such as absenteeism and occupational disease, and finally; to generate an applicable intervention model for ergonomic risk management. The method used was a descriptive study which was conducted through structured interview and non-participating direct observation to the Operations of Civil Works at EMAPAL EP. The result obtained with NIOSH Equation informed a lifting index of 4.06, which determines the need for redesign the task. With OWAS method it is shown the most relevant result of awkward positions was digging trenches, representing 52% among tasks involving awkward positions. Also, the OCRA Checklist method shows a weighted index of 19.25 for actual duration of the repetitive task, which can be considered a medium risk. In addition, 42% of workers, present musculoskeletal pain symptoms and 10.8% have a formal report. In conclusion, ergonomic risks were confirmed and its relationship with productivity was been demonstrated. Absenteeism has incidence in productivity index due to the development of symptoms and musculoskeletal disorders.