An Empirical Study of Musculoskeletal Disorder Risks among Construction Labourers

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a major occupational health concern among construction labourers because of the physically demanding nature of construction activities and inadequate ergonomic practices in developing countries. This study examined the perceived causes and risk factors of MSDs among construction labourers in Abuja, Nigeria. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted among 150 skilled and unskilled construction labourers selected using purposive and convenience sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics, one-sample t-tests, and exploratory factor analysis. The findings showed that all assessed variables were perceived as significant contributors to MSDs, with awkward working postures, prolonged standing, manual lifting of heavy materials, repetitive tasks, and extended working hours identified as the most important risk factors. Exploratory factor analysis grouped the variables into four underlying dimensions: Organisational and Design-related Stressors, Physical Load and Musculoskeletal Strain, Training and Environmental Risks, and Individual Health Factors. Organisational and design-related stressors accounted for the largest proportion of the explained variance, underscoring the importance of workplace organisation and ergonomic design in reducing MSD risks. The study recommends strengthening ergonomic practices, improving work organisation, providing regular ergonomic training and appropriate personal protective equipment, and enhancing occupational health and safety enforcement. The findings are limited by the use of non-probability sampling and respondents’ self-reported perceptions, which may affect the generalisability of the results. Exploring the Impact of Foreign Labour Management on Labour Welfare and Productivity in Malaysian Construction Shalini Sanmargaraja1*, AbdulLateef Olanrewaju1, Muhammad Adnan Ali1, Hui Chen Chu1, Soo Cheen Khor1, Vignes Ponniah2 and Gunavathy Kanniyapan3 Construction Management, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Perak, Malaysia Building Services Engineering, Trafford College Group, England, United Kingdom Real Estate, Tunku Abdul Rahman Un