Recruitment
- We are looking for young workers in the British Columbia (BC) construction industry to complete a confidential online survey about their current job or trade, working conditions that could contribute to musculoskeletal symptoms, and how these affect their well-being.
- Individuals who consent will be entered into a draw to win one of fourteen $100 Amazon gift cards as a thank you for participating in this study.
- We are recruiting participants who:
- Are between the ages of 16 and 30 years
- Are currently employed in the construction industry in BC, and have been for at least one month at the time of completing the survey
- Have never been diagnosed with any type of work-related musculoskeletal injury by a medical doctor, physician or healthcare provider.
- If you are interested in sharing your experiences or would like to learn more about the project, please contact Chizitara Nkwopara at ycws.research@ubc.ca or 604-822-1228.
- If you need mental health support, find resources here.
What is a musculoskeletal injury?
An injury or disorder of the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage, and spinal discs that can result from an accident or develop over time due to overuse. e.g. sprains and strains, fractures and dislocations, carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive strain injuries, tendonitis, arthritis. Musculoskeletal symptoms include aches, pain, discomfort, stiffness, and numbness to your muscles, bones, joints, or nerves.
Background
- Construction work can be tough, involving strenuous tasks and work environments that can cause musculoskeletal symptoms or injury. WorkSafeBC reports that almost half (48.6%) of all claims in construction are due to musculoskeletal injuries, with young workers making the most claims.
- Musculoskeletal symptoms, especially pain, affect workers’ physical and mental well-being and lead to time away from work.
- Thorough research and effective prevention measures regarding the link between musculoskeletal pain and mental health of construction workers are lacking. There is limited knowledge about how such pain affects mental health before it becomes a diagnosed work-related injury or chronic disability.
- Young construction workers often face musculoskeletal pain or injury early in their careers. Failure to address their mental health alongside these physical issues can lead to long-term consequences including worsened mental health, safety risks for themselves and colleagues, and increased job turnover.
- The purpose of this study is to understand how construction jobs or trades and work environments affect the mental health and well-being of young and early-career construction workers before any musculoskeletal injury diagnosis.
- The findings will contribute to recommendations and programs aimed at preserving the health of young construction workers throughout their careers.
What is a chronic disability?
A long-lasting physical, mental, cognitive, or sensory impairment that limits a person’s abilities or daily activities over an extended period.
More information
- Study Principal Investigator: Dr. Chris McLeod
- This quantitative survey-based study is funded by WorkSafeBC and is being conducted in the Metro Vancouver area of BC. There are four objectives:
- Investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in young and early-career construction workers.
- Assess the relationship between ergonomic risk factors, musculoskeletal pain, and mental health among uninjured young and early-career construction workers.
- Understand whether there are specific ergonomic risk factors that impact mental health more than others.
- Work with the British Columbia Construction Safety Association (BCCSA) and WorkSafeBC to increase awareness and education by informing their training materials, course development, employers’ onboarding, and orientation for young workers.
Contact: Chizitara Nkwopara
