Resilient Management of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Construction and Civil Engineering Projects-A qualitative exploration of site managers' work practices and suggestions for support and resources at PEAB, Sweden.

Sammanfattning

Introduction/Background: Construction projects are often defined as complex operations depending on heavy physical labor by construction workers. Heavy physical labor with poor ergonomics can cause substantial costs when not adequately managed, making proactive management approaches essential. In the organizational context, construction site managers occupy a unique position at the intersection of the organization and its projects, making them key figures in operationalizing organizational initiatives into practice in construction production. However, they are known for facing significant workloads that challenge their management efforts and require adequate support and resources. Aim: In collaboration with PEAB, one of Sweden´s largest construction companies, the aim of this degree project was to explore the work practices site managers use to prevent and mitigate work-related musculoskeletal disorders among construction workers in their projects and to understand their need for support and resources. Method: A qualitative research design was used to explore the research questions through interviews with twelve site managers while utilizing a theoretical framework promoting a proactive management approach to health and safety. A qualitative content analysis, combining inductive and deductive reasoning, was used when analyzing the data. Results: The qualitative content analysis revealed fourteen categories reflecting work practices site managers at PEAB use to prevent and mitigate work-related musculoskeletal disorders and were categorized into four main themes. Furthermore, seven standalone categories reflecting suggestions for support and resources that could improve their managerial efforts in preventing and mitigating work-related musculoskeletal disorders among their construction workers emerged. Conclusions: To achieve a resilient and proactive management approach towards work-related musculoskeletal disorders among their construction workers, site managers need to balance management and leadership practices, engage in informal monitoring practices in complement to formal safety rounds, derive lessons from successes and failures in various organizational contexts, and anticipate potential risks and opportunities by early project involvement in the design phase. Increasing and buffering support functions to strengthen site management conditions and manage the overburdening of the site manager role is important to support their management efforts. It is also important for organizations to adequately prioritize work-related musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomics and involve professionals with production competence in design processes to increase proactive management potential. Based on the results and complemented by the discussion, recommendations were formulated that may guide organizational efforts in the construction industry for proactive management in preventing and mitigating work-related musculoskeletal disorders among construction workers.