Crafting safe and efficient masonry practices: Quantitative assessment of postural characteristics in movement strategies

Musculoskeletal disorders are prevalent in the construction industry, particularly among masons who are at risk of overexertion and back injuries due to the physical demands of their jobs. Previous research established that expert masons employ different work strategies that reduce joint loads and increase productivity; however, it was unclear which movement strategies they used. This study analyzed the movements of novice, apprentice, and expert masons to identify their postural characteristics. Specifically, the postures and motions of novice, apprentice, and expert masons are analyzed during a standard wall building activity using concrete masonry units, and the key markers of their techniques, such as trunk flexion and twisting, are investigated. Our findings describe the movement strategies experts use in comparison to inexpert groups. Through the analysis of expert motion techniques, the intrinsic movement knowledge of expert masons can be translated into numeric joint thresholds and coaching feedback for training programs.