Keep Drywall Installers Safe From Everyday Injuries
Overexertion reported by drywall installers may be responsible for a
high proportion of costs for medical care, impairment and pay-loss days.
When asked what they believe is their greatest risk of physical stress, drywall installers answer lifting, carrying and holding drywall. A recent National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) study confirmed this, citing that the two main causes of injuries to drywall installers are overexertion and falls.
Installing drywall can create a number of safety risks, including falls, overexertion and muscle strains — particularly in the back. NIOSH recommends the following precautions when installing drywall.
- Know the weight of the drywall sheet before starting the job and plan accordingly. Sheets of drywall can weigh between 55 to 120 pounds, so it is important to ensure you have adequate workers to handle the job.
- To minimize the need for transport, have the drywall sheets delivered directly to the place where they will be installed. If transport is necessary, use forklifts, dollies or hand trucks to move the sheets.
- If possible, do not install drywall by hand. Have a drywall lift or drywall jacks available, especially for working with heavier sheets and ceilings.
- Be sure that all workers are familiar with proper installation and lifting techniques. Each worker should be wearing PVC-dot group gloves to make it easier to lift and hold drywall sheets.
- When hanging vertical pieces, raise the sheet, shift grips to opposite sides of the sheet and then rotate into a vertical position to secure to the wall.
- Use two workers to lift larger, heavier sheets and lift only one sheet at a time.
- Be sure workers take adequate breaks to avoid overexertion, and rotate each worker’s task throughout the project.
Everyday Work. Everyday Injuries.
The following case reports demonstrate how
easily and quickly injuries can happen as part of a drywall installer’s everyday work.
- While stepping up to his drywall bench lifting a 12-foot long, 120-pound drywall sheet, a carpenter slipped and fell forward, twisting and straining his knee.
- A drywall installer developed tendonitis after lifting and carrying twelve 10-foot sections of drywall up 20 steps.
- A carpenter dislocated his shoulder after lifting and hanging multiple 16-foot-long, 125-pound drywall sheets on a ceiling.
