EVALUATION OF THE PHYSICS LABOR LOAD OF CONSTRUCTION'S WORKERS – CASE STUDY

Abstract

The finding that the physics labor demanding in the work environment has direct influence over the workers' health leads to the importance of using physiological indexes with the goal of determine the worker's physic capacity's limit. With this proposal, the present study aimed to measure the physics labor load from Construction workers. 20 volunteers participate of the research, with ages varying between 20 and 60 years old (average: 37,1 ±10,2). The data collect was realized in a construction site in Ponta Grossa city, Parana. The main tasks performed by the workers during their workday were identify and described in the study. The data were obtained by the survey of the heart rate at work (WHR), with the use of a monitor from Polar Oy brand. The work's rating followed the methodology proposed by Apud (1997). The results are showed in table and describe the averages plus standard deviation of the workers and by activity. All the HRW values was below the maximum acceptable limit (<125 bpm). The indexes ranged between 72 to 114 bpm. Most of the workers (65%) had their activities considered as “averagely heavy). 5% had the rating “very light) and 30% had the rating “heavy”. None of the activities surpassed the maximum limit of 40%, and therefore, being unnecessary the introduction of ergonomic ways. However, due to the different values of cardiovascular load obtained among the individuals, it recommends the use of lighter tools and with ergonomics cables and the introduction of a rotation between the functions, in a way to prevent LBP's and physics' wastage in the workers.