Manual Handling Process in IBS Precast Concrete Panel Site Construction: A Case Study

Abstract

Precast concrete panel is one of the Industrial Building System (IBS) components which is used in the modern construction industry especially in urban areas. Implementation of precast concrete panel in site creates an issue as it uses manual handling process during the construction. This study focuses in site construction using a concrete panel with 3300mm x 600mm size and compressive strength 40MPa. Consequently, issues of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) among those workers arises due to repetition of IBS workers lifting the concrete panel manually. This problem automatically reduces workers productive and giving strain for the workers when they have to spend more money and time for rehabilitation process. Aim for this is to investigate and analyze the recommended weight limit (RWL) and lifting index (LI) for those workers during the manual handling process using those precast concrete panel. The method used along this study includes; interview session, NIOSH lifting index calculation and recommended work limit calculation. The result gained at the end of this study lead to (MSDs) problem. The Recommended Weight Limit (RWL) shows the maximum or the limit of the weight that can be carried by an individual in completing the task while the Lifting Index (LI) interpret performs significant level of the risk of MSDs. This project come out with the recommend of RWL for the workers and lifting index figure thus increase the awareness among the workers and employers about the (MSDs) issues.