Assessment of perceived traumatic injury hazards during drywall taping and sanding

The objective of this study was to identify the drywall finishing tasks which are directly perceived as hazardous by workers. A questionnaire survey was 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 equipment. Thirty experienced drywall finishers participated in this study. The ratings of perceived physical stress and fall potential varied significantly among the six tasks (both p values <0.05). Subjects perceived greater physical stress for the two drywall sanding tasks than the four taping tasks. Sanding skimmed drywall without the use of pole sanders, in particular sanding ceiling joints, nails, and corners was rated most stressful. Wrists/hands and shoulders were identified as the most affected body part subject to physical stress during drywall taping and sanding. Tasks performed with the use 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 information 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 activities of drywall finishing. Construction workers who perform drywall installation, including taping and sanding drywall sheets, have the highest incidence/injury rate compared to any other workforce. Taping and sanding drywall sheets increases the potential for physical stress, falls and struck by and against objects. A questionnaire was designed to collect injury information directly from painters who performed drywall taping/sanding and to identify perceived hazards associated with drywall taping and sanding. Prior to this study, there has been little substantive research to ergonomically evaluate the excessive stresses and potential injuries imposed on this workforce.