ABSTRACT
This study examines the effects of inclination angle, cart load, and cart type on muscular activities while pushing a construction cart. Twelve subjects pushed the cart on three different inclination angles: 0, 5, and 10 degrees. Cart loads were 30, 60, and 90 kg, and two types of construction cart (one-wheeled cart and twowheeled) were used in experiments. Surface EMG (sEMG) system was used to measure muscle activity during the trials. Experimental results show that cart loads and inclination angles significantly affected muscular activities while pushing construction carts. Additionally, 90 kg card load and 10 degrees inclined surface also generated the highest muscle load comparing to the other situations. Muscular activities increased significantly in dominant hand with the one-wheeled cart when compared with the two-wheeled cart, suggesting that, in terms of muscle loads, the cart loads and inclination angles while pushing construction cart should be controlled to reduce the muscular loads
Keywords: Pushing task, construction cart, muscular activity, Surface EMG
Working in the construction industry typically requires awkward postures, heavy
lifting, and considerable exertion. Many workers performing such tasks complain of discomfort in their upper extremities and lower back over the course of a workday (Buchholz et al., 1996; Jeong, 1998; Hoozemans et al., 2001; Davis et al., 2010). Meerding et al. (2005) reported that 59% of construction workers had musculoskeletal complaints, and 41% experienced low back pain in the preceding 6 months. Goldsheyder et al. (2002) identified a high prevalence of 82% for musculoskeletal disorders among stone masons.
