NIOSH Writes Booklet for Home Construction Workers
Written with younger and less experienced workers in mind, it is a guide to preventing manual material handling injuries.
NIOSH has released "Simple Solutions for Home Building Workers: A Basic Guide for Preventing Manual Material Handling Injuries," a booklet also available in Spanish as "Soluciones Simples: Para los Trabajadores de la Construcción Residencial: Guía Básica Para Prevenir Lesiones en el Manejo Manual de Materiales." It is available as a web publication for printing or download at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2013-111/ and http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/niosh/docs/2013-111_sp/, and the agency said the publication is in the public interest and may be freely copied or reprinted.
Drawings and non-technical language are used to describe manual material handling injury risks and how they can be reduced and/or eliminated for certain activities.
"Home building is physically demanding work and manual material handling may be the most difficult part of the job. These activities increase the risk of painful strains and sprains and more serious soft tissue injuries. This booklet provides basic information about readily available work practices and equipment that can help both new and experienced workers, contractors, and builders prevent serious manual material handling injuries," according to the agency.
A limited number of copies will be printed for distribution to home building industry stakeholders and will be available around July 15. To order, call 800-CDC-INFO or visit http://wwwn.cdc.gov/pubs/niosh.aspx.