Participatory Ergonomic Intervention Approach on Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) in Construction Sectors: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) remain a critical occupational health concern in the construction sector due to the physical demands of repetitive lifting, awkward postures, and heavy manual handling. This systematic literature review examines the role of participatory ergonomic (PE) interventions in reducing MSDs and explores the use of technology to enhance ergonomic risk assessment and prevention. Guided by PRISMA methodology, articles published between 2019 and 2024 were retrieved from Scopus, ScienceDirect, and PubMed, with 30 studies meeting the eligibility criteria. Findings indicate that PE interventions, including exoskeletons, workstation redesign, semi-automation, and task reorganization, significantly reduce biomechanical strain, discomfort, and MSD prevalence while improving productivity and worker satisfaction. However, limitations such as cost, device-related discomfort, and organizational barriers affect long-term sustainability. In addition, technological solutions such as wearable sensors, machine learning, cyber-physical training, and vision-based monitoring demonstrated high accuracy in detecting ergonomic risks and provided real-time feedback for prevention. Despite their effectiveness, issues such as secondary risks, acceptance, and cost justification must be addressed. Overall, the review highlights that integrating participatory approaches with technological innovations offers substantial potential to reduce MSDs among construction workers. Success depends on tailoring interventions to task-specific demands, ensuring organizational commitment, and adopting a holistic view that considers both physical and psychosocial dimensions of worker health.