Table 1.

Summary of activities, tasks, and associated risk for sheet metal workers.

Activities	Tasks a	NIOSH Risk Level	WMSD Risk Factors b	Body Regions affected b
Pack: Move material/ equipment to and within jobsite	Carry materials to work location and move equipment	High/Moderate	Force Awkward postures Contact Stress	Back Distal upper extremities
Support System: Install duct hangers	Carry materials to work location	Moderate	Force Awkward postures Contact Stress	Back Distal upper extremities
	Drill Holes	High	Force Sustained non-neutral postures Repetition Vibration Contact stress	Back Distal upper extremities Shoulders Knees
	Screw/shoot into ceiling	High	Force Sustained non-neutral postures Repetition	Shoulders Distal UEs
Prep: Assemble duct pieces in the field	Carry materials to work location	Moderate	Force Awkward postures Contact Stress	Back Distal upper extremities
	Assemble duct sections (not detailed)	High	Not Detailed	Not Detailed
	Cut and trim duct joints	High	Force Sustained non-neutral postures Vibration Repetition	Distal upper extremities
	Weld	High	Sustained non-neutral postures Repetition Contact Stress	Neck Back Distal upper extremities
Install: Install ductwork/ equipment	Carry materials to work location	Moderate	Force Awkward postures Contact Stress	Back Distal upper extremities
	Connect ductwork to hanger/ceiling	High/Moderate	Force Sustained non-neutral postures Repetition Contact Stress	Shoulders Back Distal upper extremities
Demo: Demolition	Cut and remove duct (not detailed)	High	Not Detailed	Not Detailed
Other: Detail Work and Field Design	Measure, layout, inspect work, formulate work sequence	Low	Not Detailed	Not Detailed

^aTasks with risk factors identified in Tables 8 & 9 of (Albers et al., 2005)

^bRisk factors identified from NIOSH narrative following p. 109 (NIOSH, 2006)