Overhead Work Hazards

When your construction job requires you to reach up over your shoulders to do your work, there is additional stress on your arm muscles and joints. You may also need to tilt your head back to see what you are doing, which can tire the muscles in your neck. For example, you may be driving nails, finishing drywall, or wiring fixtures. If you need to hold heavy tools or materials at the same time, this can lead to unbalanced posture and additional strains on your arms and back.

These types of tasks may put you at risk for injuries like bursitis, tendinitis, or rotator cuff tears. You can also be at risk for nerve or ligament strains to your neck, as well as arthritis in your neck joints.

To learn more about Construction Ergonomics visit our Construction Ergonomics Online Training web page.