Information on this page is drawn from "Carpenter: Pre-fabrication of exterior walls off-site reduces exposures" published by intel

NOTE: Request for permission pending.

Task

Constructing exterior non-bearing extruded steel and gypsum board walls.

Exposure

Constructing walls on site, crews work from mechanical lifts, requiring fall protection, and resulting in awkward postures, forceful exertion and exposure to inclement weather.

Intervention

The trade contractor prefabricated 8' x 38' exterior wall panels off-site in a dry, warm environment with special ordered 2' x 8' gypsum board and installed the completed panels at the site using a crane. This intervention worked well because it reduced schedule time, labor hours, exposure to poor weather and work at heights. There was also a reduction to awkward posture and repetitive motion exposures. The basic idea was excellent. If used in the future, more attention should be paid to the prefab work area to reduce repetitive motion and awkward posture that were present. This process was inspired by the general foreman of the company doing the job. Another excellent example of an environment open to ergonomic intervention and ingenuity.

Material

2′ x 8′ gypsum board was a special order at increased cost, but the improved process cut costs enough to cover the increase that of the gypsum board.

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Carpenter: Pre-fabrication of exterior walls off-site reduces exposures