Ergonomic Hazards in the Indian Construction Industry: A Comprehensive Review of Risks, Impacts, and Interventions

Abstract

Construction workers face global ergonomic risk. In India, these risks are exacerbated by manual labour dependence, inadequate regulatory oversight, and limited worker training and health awareness. Ergonomic issues include manual material handling, repetitive motions, improper postures, and prolonged vibration exposure, leading to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) that affect the health, safety, and productivity of workers. This review aims to consolidate knowledge on ergonomic hazards in India's construction sector, identify risks and their effects on workers, and evaluate interventions to mitigate these hazards. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was conducted for studies published between April 2013 and April 2023. This review includes English-language studies that provide empirical evidence or a sensitive analysis of ergonomic hazards among Indian construction workers. Quality assessment was performed using standardized tools, followed by narrative synthesis. This review found a high prevalence of ergonomic hazards, with over 70% of workers reporting MSD-related symptoms. Key hazards include manual handling of materials, repetitive movements, faulty postures, and prolonged vibration exposure. Contributing factors include socioeconomic conditions, lack of safety training, inadequate personal protective equipment, poor tool and workstation design. Various interventions such as technological solutions, ergonomic training, and organizational strategies are effective in reducing hazards. Ergonomic hazards critically impact health and safety of Indian construction workers and require systemic solutions and immediate interventions. Effective strategies include ergonomic training programmes, ergonomically designed tools, and strict safety regulations. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies and innovative interventions to improve occupational health in the construction industry.