ISO/TR 7015:2023

Ergonomics — The application of ISO/TR 12295, ISO 11226, the ISO 11228 series and ISO/TR 23476 in the construction sector (civil construction)

This document is intended to be used alongside ISO/TR 12295, ISO 11226, the ISO 11228 series and ISO/TR 23476 in the construction sector. This document (although the examples shown refer only to the civil construction sector) gives information on how existing standards can be used in a global sector, such as construction. Where biomechanical overload is a relevant aspect, albeit with different characteristics, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are common and specific preventive actions are needed. This document is intended to: 1) define the user(s) and fields for its application (including non-experts in ergonomics); 2) provide examples of procedures for hazard identification, risk estimation or evaluation and risk reduction in different agricultural settings, through: — more synthetic procedural schemes (main test); — more analytical explanations of the procedures, through mathematical models and application examples, and with the use of specific free simple tools in Annexes A, B and C.

Ergonomie — Application de l'ISO/TR 12295, de l'ISO 11226, de la série ISO 11228 et de l'ISO/TR 23476 dans le secteur de la construction (construction civile)

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 26-Apr-2023
• ICS: 13.180 - Ergonomics
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 159/SC 3 - Anthropometry and biomechanics
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 159/SC 3 - Anthropometry and biomechanics
• Current Stage: 6060 - International Standard published
• Start Date: 27-Apr-2023
• Completion Date: 27-Apr-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

TECHNICAL ISO/TR
REPORT 7015
First edition
2023-04
Ergonomics — The application of
ISO/TR 12295, ISO 11226, the ISO
11228 series and ISO/TR 23476
in the construction sector (civil
construction)
Ergonomie — Application de l'ISO/TR 12295, de l'ISO 11226,
de la série ISO 11228 et de l'ISO/TR 23476 dans le secteur de la
construction (construction civile)
Reference number
ISO/TR 7015:2023(E)
© ISO 2023

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
ISO/TR 7015:2023(E)
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2023
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
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ISO/TR 7015:2023(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction . vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 General outline of work processes in an annual multi-task analysis in civil
construction . 1
4.1 General structure of a multi-task analysis . 1
4.2 Study of tasks distribution over the year on groups of workers who are
homogeneous in terms of risk exposure . 3
4.2.1 General . 3
4.2.2 Macrocycle duration . 5
4.2.3 Phase and task identification . 6
4.2.4 Identification of the different homogeneous groups . 10
5 First levels: pre-mapping of danger and discomfort through key questions and
quick assessment .12
5.1 Foreword.12
5.2 The pre-mapping model . 13
6 Analytical study of work processes in annual multi-task analysis: description of a
typical working day for each month and quantitative task distribution over the year .15
6.1 General . 15
6.2 Phase A – Description of a typical working day . 15
6.3 Phase B – Estimation of total number of hours worked every month of the year . 17
6.4 Phase C – Assignment of tasks to a homogeneous group (or individual worker) and
calculation of proportional tasks duration in each individual month . 17
7 Annual multi-task risk assessment of biomechanical overload for the upper limbs .20
7.1 General . 20
7.2 Phase A – Analysis of each individual task using the OCRA checklist to calculate
the intrinsic risk score and prepare the tasks basic risk evaluation for each crop .20
7.3 Phase B – Application of mathematical models and preliminary preparation of
artificial working day representative of the whole year and of every month of the
same year. 20
8 Annual multi-task risk assessment for working postures .22
8.1 The meaning of postural tolerance . 22
8.2 Analysing the tolerability of working postures for the spine when performing
manual lifting tasks, and for the upper limbs when performing repetitive
movements and manual lifting: specific International Standards .23
8.3 Analysing spinal working postures without manual load lifting and lower limb
postures (primarily static) .23
8.4 The TACOS method: contents and criteria for back and lower limb posture analysis .25
8.5 Posture analysis of a multi-task job performed on a full-time or part-time basis
with yearly job rotation . 26
9 Annual multi-task risk assessment of manual material handling (MMH) and
carrying .32
10 Annual multi-task risk assessment of pushing and pulling .35
11 Manual material carrying (MMC) risk assessment .37
12 Conclusions .38
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ISO/TR 7015:2023(E)
Annex A (informative) Initial identification and preliminary assessment (pre-mapping)
of potential risks: criteria and presentation of a specific simple tool that allows its
application .40
Annex B (informative) Criteria and mathematical models for analysing exposure to
biomechanical overload in multitask jobs featuring complex macro-cycles (e.g.
weekly, monthly, annual turnover) .70
Annex C (informative) Criteria to evaluate working postures of the spine and lower limbs
using the TACOS strategy in daily or other macro-cycle multi-task analysis: brief
presentation .98
Bibliography .117
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ISO/TR 7015:2023(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to
the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 159, Ergonomics, Subcommittee SC 3,
Anthropometry and biomechanics.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
v
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ISO/TR 7015:2023(E)
Introduction
Construction is one of the biggest working sectors in the world. The sector includes an immense
diversity of skill sets and categories of workers. In addition, the size, structure and market of
construction companies can also be extremely variable. The sector employs on average between 5 %
to 10 % of the workforce in most countries, indicating that construction is a significant component of
the global economy and is one of the largest employers in the world. Globally, musculoskeletal disorders
are the major cause of work-related illnesses, accounting for more than 33 % of all occupational
[49]
diseases, with the prevalence becoming 65 % for construction workers. There are also indirect
socio-economic implications due to job loss, absenteeism, health costs and even worker hospitalization.
[29]
There is no doubt that the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) can
significantly contribute to reduce economic and social impact. Increasing attention is being drawn to
the application of practical actions in construction settings to help reduce work-related accidents and
illness and WMSDs in particular. ISO 11226, the ISO 11228 series and, more recently, ISO/TR 12295 and
ISO/TR 23476 are useful for this specific scope.
Experiences in the application of these documents have been acquired in different parts of the world,
but rarely in construction. This document extends the scope and methods included in existing standards
to all the different construction, although the application experiences presented in this document are
mainly based on the civil construction sector. Special attention is devoted to rendering this document
accessible also to non-experts. Reference is made to easily applicable, non-commercial online tools
(simple tools in spreadsheets) that can be useful for the purposes of this document, making possible the
application of the criteria provided here and therefore the real numerical estimate of the biomechanical
overload risks.
The ISO 11228 series, ISO 11226, ISO/TR 12295 and ISO/TR 23476 establish ergonomic recommendations
for different manual handling tasks, repetitive movements and working postures. All their parts apply
to occupational and non-occupational activities. The documents provide information for designers,
employers, employees and others involved in work, job and product design, such as occupational health
and safety professionals.
The ISO 11228 series consists of the following parts, under the general title Ergonomics — Manual
handling:
— Part 1: Lifting, lowering and carrying;
— Part 2: Pushing and pulling;
— Part 3: Handling of low loads at high frequency.
ISO 11226 provides recommended limits for static working postures with no or minimal external force
exertion, while taking into account body angles and duration.
ISO/TR 12295 serves as an application guide of the ISO 11228 series and ISO 11226. It offers a simple
risk assessment methodology for small and medium enterprises and for non-professional active.
This document is intended to be used alongside ISO/TR 12295, ISO 11226, the ISO 11228 series and
ISO/TR 23476, also in the construction sector, where the risk from biomechanical work overload from
repetitive movements, from manual handling of loads, from towing and pushing carts and awkward
postures is universally present.
[22]
The OCRA checklist method, in its multi-day cycle risk assessment version, is currently the only
risk assessment method available in literature capable of offering criteria and application experiences
to address multitask analysis (supported by a specific simple tool in the form of free download
spreadsheets for final risk calculation).
ISO/TR 12295 had already adopted this multitask method of exposure analysis.
After all, the development of a method capable of predicting the appearance of pathologies (real risk
assessment method) can be optimized only after years of use and improvement. The development of
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ISO/TR 7015:2023(E)
a new TR which, offering evaluation solutions for biomechanical overload study in construction, can
stimulate many more valid epidemiological studies in the future, is therefore desirable. The concept of
doing nothing, while waiting for sufficient and perfect published methods, means not doing prevention.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) itself, due to the formula for
calculating the lifting index (LI), changed the maximum limit value of its first formula several times
over the years, through years of application experience. Recently the NIOSH added the formula for
calculating the variable lifting index (VLI) for the evaluation of manual lifting tasks of complex loads,
[21],[67]
with many different weights and geometries. The gained experience in this type of analysis was
introduced in ISO/TR 12295 and ISO 11228-1.
For the study of working postures it is important to point out the new time-based assessment
[25]
computerized strategy (TACOS) for posture, which adds to all the experience gained from the
RULA and REBA methods and from ISO 11226, a more adequate timing assessment (therefore not only
qualitative studies of work postures, but also studies of their real duration).
The mathematical criterion for the extension of the calculation of any risk factors for the study of
biomechanical overload, not only for the working day cycle but also for cycles different in duration (e.g.
annual cultivation cycles), was also discussed within a specifically activated writing group of experts
for the preparation of this document. The transition is indispensable for the extension of the evaluation
models already present in the specific International Standards (all used in this document) to the risk
evaluation in multitask exposition with annual turnover needed for risk studies in construction (see
Annex B).
Any other risk assessment methods that include a multitask analysis procedure can adopt the criteria
here proposed, extending multitask annual exposure risk study, for instance to:
— repetitive movements (e.g. strain index, method present in ISO 11228-3);
— manual handling of loads (NIOSH formula in ISO 11228-1);
— application of ISO 11226, the ISO 11228 series and ISO/TR 12295 in the agricultural sector
(ISO/TR 23476).
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TECHNICAL REPORT ISO/TR 7015:2023(E)
Ergonomics — The application of ISO/TR 12295, ISO
11226, the ISO 11228 series and ISO/TR 23476 in the
construction sector (civil construction)
1 Scope
This document is intended to be used alongside ISO/TR 12295, ISO 11226, the ISO 11228 series and
ISO/TR 23476 in the construction sector.
This document (although the examples shown refer only to the civil construction sector) gives
information on how existing standards can be used in a global sector, such as construction. Where
biomechanical overload is a relevant aspect, albeit with different characteristics, work-related
musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are common and specific preventive actions are needed.
This document is intended to:
1) define the user(s) and fields for its application (including non-experts in ergonomics);
2) provide examples of procedures for hazard identification, risk estimation or evaluation and risk
reduction in different agricultural settings, through:
— more synthetic procedural schemes (main test);
— more analytical explanations of the procedures, through mathematical models and application
examples, and with the use of specific free simple tools in Annexes A, B and C.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in this document.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
4 General outline of work processes in an annual multi-task analysis in civil
construction
4.1 General structure of a multi-task analysis
Specifically, this document provides additional information to aid the user in the selection and use of
the appropriate standards. Depending upon whether specific risks are present, it is intended to help the
user to decide which standards to apply. It will include three levels of approach (Figure 1):
— First level: the participatory approach for pre-mapping of danger and discomfort provides all users,
particularly those who are not experts in ergonomics, with criteria and procedures to identify
situations in which they can apply the ISO 11228 series, ISO 11226 and ISO/TR 12295 as well as in
agricultural settings (ISO/TR 23476): key-enter and key-questions level. Only in the early analytical
1
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ISO/TR 7015:2023(E)
stage is the opportunity offered to map, even if only using subjective data obtained by interviewing
the workers (through the identification of groups of workers, homogeneous for exposure to
occupational risks), all the occupational hazards and not just the risk of biomechanical overload.
— Second level: provides a quick assessment method (according to the criteria provided in
ISO/TR 12295 and in ISO/TR 23476) for easily recognizing activities that are definitely acceptable or
definitely critical. If an activity is neither definitely acceptable nor definitely critical, it is necessary
to complete a detailed risk-assessment as set out in the standards, continuing with the necessary
subsequent preventive actions.
— Third level: refer to detailed methods for risk assessment set out in the relevant standards when the
quick assessment method shows that the activity risk falls between the two exposure conditions
(definitely acceptable or definitely critical).
These approaches and scopes are illustrated in the flowchart in Figure 1 and are described in the main
text of ISO/TR 12295.
At first the user is required to answer a short series of practical questions present in the first and second
level. It is emphasized that the quick-assessment method is best implemented using a participatory
approach involving workers in the enterprise (homogeneous groups of workers).
This involvement is deemed to be essential for effectively setting priorities for dealing with the different
hazard and risk conditions and, where necessary, identifying effective risk reduction measures.
In construction, as well as in agriculture evaluation, it can be possible to limit the study to the first and
second levels, obtaining sufficient data about occupational risk priorities.
The analytical risk assessment approach (third level) provides all users, especially those experienced
in ergonomics, or familiar with the ISO 11228 series, with details and criteria for applying the risk
assessment methods proposed in the original standards also to construction.
This analytical risk assessment approach is fully consistent with the methods proposed in the standards
and does not introduce any changes in the criteria (mathematical model) for risk calculations, defined in
the existing standards (as well expressed in ISO/TR 12295) but only adapts the proposed methodology
to the risk assessment in construction
The proposed additional analyses aim to facilitate the use of the actual standards, making it possible
to extend them to risk assessment in agriculture (ISO/TR 23476) and now, with many methodological
analogies, also to construction (Annexes A, B and C present application examples in civil construction).
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ISO/TR 7015:2023(E)
Figure 1 — Different risk assessment levels according to ISO/TR 12295 for biomechanical
overload estimation
4.2 Study of tasks distribution over the year on groups of workers who are
homogeneous in terms of risk exposure
4.2.1 General
Studying the organization of work in the construction sector, the basis for comprehensively addressing
the study of exposure risk is certainly very complex. In this work, while evaluation criteria and
techniques can be extended to all sectors that characterize construction, the application examples
presented here refer to the civil construction sector.
Table 1 summarizes the main macro-phases that characterize the civil construction sector, which can
be summarized even more briefly in eight main construction phases: ground preparation, excavation
of foundations and their reinforcement; construction of vertical and horizontal support structures
(pillars and support beams); flooring construction; construction of internal and external walls; re-
embossing and finishing of internal and external walls and floors with mortar; external coatings and
internal whitewashing; laying pipes for electrical systems; roof construction.
The study of the finishes of civil constructions with the installation of all the necessary systems, such
as plumbing, electrical, heating or the laying of interior coverings (wood tiles), has been deliberately
neglected, since each of these works presents its own specific risk professional.
3
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ISO/TR 7015:2023(E)
Table 1 — Main macro-phases and work phases present in the civil construction sector
Macro-phases Phases
supplies cranes
— pallets trucks
— wheelbarrows
work tools — jack hammer
— planer
— drill
— float
— hammer
— trowel
— screwdriver
— crowbar
— line level
— spade
foundation — initial prepara-
excavation and tion of the soil
armour
— delimitation
of building site
-excavation and
drilling
— land compac-
tion-position-
ing foundation
armour, beams,
pipes
building ver- — preparation of
tical support wooden panels
supplies
construction and
assembly shapes
and frames in
wood for pillars
and beams
building hori- — laying support
zontal sup- material
ports: floors/
floor/ceiling as-
ceiling
sembly
piping installation
— concrete dis-
tribution-disas-
sembly of wooden
structure
wall con- external and
struction with internal wall
bricks; electri- construction with
cal installa- bricks
tions
— electrical in-
stallations
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ISO/TR 7015:2023(E)
TTabablele 1 1 ((ccoonnttiinnueuedd))
Macro-phases Phases
mortar ap- facade coating
plication and – external and
finishing internal wall,
beams and pillar,
window, doors,
ceiling with
mortar
— finishing; floor
levelling mortar
-waterproofing
external and — different exter-
internal coat- nal coating
ing (painting
— internal coat-
or other)
ing (painting or
other
roof assembly roof assembly
-structure
In a setting such as construction, before starting a risk analysis it is necessary to define a set of
procedures and criteria for estimating risk in complex situations where workers perform multiple
tasks, variously distributed in qualitative and quantitative terms over the year (annual cycle).
The general risk evaluation process entails a certain number of steps, beginning with:
a) identification of the macrocycle of the many different tasks;
b) analysis of construction site to identify tasks performed within the period and obtain a qualitative
definition of the work during each month of the year;
c) identification of one or more homogeneous groups.
4.2.2 Macrocycle duration
Task rotation is when a worker alternates between two or more tasks during a certain period of time;
this situation occurs quite often in modern work organizations and, if properly designed, can represent
one of the most effective strategies for reducing the risk of biomechanical overload.
In situations, such as in construction, where the worker has to perform a large number of tasks and
the tasks can be distributed asymmetrically over the shift, risk assessments can become extremely
complex. This is why it is necessary to carry out a thorough preliminary study of how the work is
organized. At any rate, the risk analysis process involves different steps, listed further on.
The first step consists in defining the time required to complete the task rotation schedule; this is the
macro-cycle time, which can be daily, weekly, monthly or yearly.
The types of macrocycles durations are infinite, but if there are no simplification criteria that allow the
risk to be estimated, every risk assessment stops and nothing is done (the excuse being that the mission
is impossible).
The modal macro-cycle periods appear to be, at least in the sectors of agriculture, building construction
and services, accurately representative of job cycles. In civil construction, task rotations are typically
annual, but one can use annual cycles even when multiple cycles of fewer months in each year are
repeated identically. In the construction sector there is generally a yearly cycle for large construction
sites, but a monthly cycle (modal) is more frequent in smaller-scale constructions and civil renovation
5
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ISO/TR 7015:2023(E)
projects. In other sectors (e.g. logistics for retail chains, cleaning services, food preparation facilities),
the most common rotation scenario is monthly, while in yet other situations (e.g. supermarkets) tasks
can be rotated on a weekly or, occasionally, a monthly basis.
In summary, some practical options are provided here for using the predefined macro-cycle (weekly,
monthly, yearly), thus certainly simplifying subsequent evaluations:
— If seve
...

ISO/PRF TR 7015
ISO/TC 159/SC 3
ISO/TR 7015:2022(E)
Secretariat: JISC
Date: 2023-02-21
Ergonomics — Informative Application Document for International Standards (ISO 11228-1,
ISO 11228-2 and ISO 11228-3), static working posture (ISO 11226), — The application of
ISO/TR 12295 and, ISO 11226, the recent ISO 11228 series and
ISO/TR 23476 (agriculture) in the construction sector (civil
construction)
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
FDIS stage
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ISO/PRF TR 7015:(E)
© ISO 2023
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this
publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can
be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8 • CP 401
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland
Tel.Phone: + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2023 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
ISO/PRF TR 7015:(E)
Contents
Foreword . v
Introduction . vi
1 Scope . 8
2 Normative references . 8
3 Terms and definitions . 8
4 General outline of work processes in an annual multi-task analysis in civil construction . 8
4.1 General structure of a multi-task analysis . 8
4.2 Study of tasks distribution over the year on groups of workers who are homogeneous in terms of
risk exposure . 10
4.2.1 General . 10
4.2.2 Macrocycle duration . 13
4.2.3 Phase and task identification . 14
4.2.4 Identification of the different homogeneous groups . 18
5 First levels: pre-mapping of danger and discomfort through key questions and quick assessment
22
5.1 Foreword . 22
5.2 The pre-mapping model . 23
6 Analytical study of work processes in annual multi-task analysis: description of a typical working
day for each month and quantitative task distribution over the year . 25
6.1 General . 25
6.2 Phase A – Description of a typical working day . 25
6.3 Phase B – Estimation of total number of hours worked every month of the year . 28
6.4 Phase C – Assignment of tasks to a homogeneous group (or individual worker) and calculation of
proportional tasks duration in each individual month . 29
7 Annual multi-task risk assessment of biomechanical overload for the upper limbs . 31
7.1 General . 31
7.2 Phase A – Analysis of each individual task using the OCRA checklist to calculate the intrinsic risk
score and prepare the tasks basic risk evaluation for each crop . 31
7.3 Phase B – Application of mathematical models and preliminary preparation of artificial working
day representative of the whole year and of every month of the same year . 32
8 Annual multi-task risk assessment for working postures . 34
8.1 The meaning of postural tolerance . 34
8.2 Analysing the tolerability of working postures for the spine when performing manual lifting tasks,
and for the upper limbs when performing repetitive movements and manual lifting: specific International
Standards . 35
8.3 Analysing spinal working postures without manual load lifting and lower limb postures (primarily
static) 35
8.4 The TACOS method: contents and criteria for back and lower limb posture analysis . 37
8.5 Posture analysis of a multi-task job performed on a full-time or part-time basis with yearly job
rotation . 38
9 Annual multi-task risk assessment of manual material handling (MMH) and carrying . 6
10 Annual multi-task risk assessment of pushing and pulling . 10
11 Manual material carrying (MMC) risk assessment . 11
12 Conclusions . 12
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ISO/PRF TR 7015:(E)
Annex A (informative) Initial identification and preliminary assessment (pre-mapping) of potential risks:
criteria and presentation of a specific simple tool that allows its application . 14
Annex B (informative) Criteria and mathematical models for analysing exposure to biomechanical
overload in multitask jobs featuring complex macro-cycles (e.g. weekly, monthly, annual turnover) . 55
Annex C (informative) Criteria to evaluate working postures of the spine and lower limbs using the
TACOS strategy in daily or other macro-cycle multi-task analysis: brief presentation . 86
Bibliography .1 15

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ISO/PRF TR 7015:(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO
collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Field Code Changed
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document canmay be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of any
patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or on
the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World
Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
Field Code Changed
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 159, Ergonomics, Subcommittee SC 3,
Anthropometry and biomechanics.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
Field Code Changed
© ISO 2023 – All rights reserved v

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ISO/PRF TR 7015:(E)
Introduction
Construction is one of the biggest working sectorsectors in the world. The sector includes an immense
diversity of skill sets and categories of workers. In addition, the size, structure and market of construction
companies can also be extremely variable. The sector employs on average between 5 % to 10 % of the
workforce in most countries, indicating that construction is a significant component of the global
economy and is one of the largest employers in the world. Globally, musculoskeletal disorders are the
major cause of work-related illnesses, accounting for more than 33 % of all occupational diseases, with
[49 [49].]
the prevalence becoming 65 % for construction workers. There are also indirect socio-economic
[29 [29].]
implications due to job loss, absenteeism, health costs and even worker hospitalization. There is
no doubt that the prevention of WMSDs (Work work-related Musculo Skeletal Disordersmusculoskeletal
disorders (WMSDs) can significantly contribute to reduce economic and social impact. Increasing
attention is being drawn to the application of practical actions in construction settings to help reduce
work-related accidents and illness and WMSDs in particular. ISO 11226, the ISO 11228 series and, more
recently, ISO/TR 12295 and ISO/TR 23476 Agriculture are useful for this specific scope.
Experiences in the application of these standardsdocuments have been acquired in different parts of the
world, but rarely in construction. This document extends the scope and methods included in existing
standards to all the different construction, although the application experiences presented in thethis
document are mainly based on the civil construction sector. Special attention is devoted to rendering this
document accessible also to non-experts. Reference is made to easily applicable, non-commercial online
tools (simple tools in spreadsheets) that can be useful for the purposes of this document, making possible
the application of the criteria provided here and therefore the real numerical estimate of the
biomechanical overload risks.
The ISO 11228 series, ISO 11226, ISO/TR 12295 and ISO/TR 23476 Agriculture establish ergonomic
recommendations for different manual handling tasks, repetitive movements and working postures. All
their parts apply to occupational and non-occupational activities. The standardsdocuments provide
information for designers, employers, employees and others involved in work, job and product design,
such as occupational health and safety professionals.
The ISO 11228 series consists of the following parts, under the general title Ergonomics — Manual
handling:
— — Part 1: Lifting, lowering and carrying;
— — Part 2: Pushing and pulling;
— — Part 3: Handling of low loads at high frequency.
ISO 11226 provides recommended limits for static working postures with no or minimal external force
exertion, while taking into account body angles and duration.
ISO/TR 12295 serves as an application guide of the ISO 11228 series and ISO 11226. It offers a simple
risk assessment methodology for small and medium enterprises and for non-professional active.
This document is intended to be used alongside ISO/TR 12295, ISO 11226, the ISO 11228 series and
ISO/TR 23476 Agriculture, also in the construction sector, where the risk from biomechanical work
overload from repetitive movements, from manual handling of loads, from towing and pushing carts and
awkward postures is universally present.
[22 [22]]
The OCRA checklist method, in its multi-day cycle risk assessment version, , is currently the only risk
assessment method available in literature capable of offering criteria and application experiences to
address multitask analysis (supported by a specific simple tool in the form of free download spreadsheets
for final risk calculation).
ISO/TR 12295 had already adopted this multitask method of exposure analysis.
After all, the development of a method capable of predicting the appearance of pathologies (real risk
assessment method) can be optimized only after years of use and improvement. The development of a
new TR which, offering evaluation solutions for biomechanical overload study in construction, can
stimulate many more valid epidemiological studies in the future, is therefore desirable. The concept of
doing nothing, while waiting for sufficient and perfect published methods, means not doing prevention.
vi © ISO 2023 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------
ISO/PRF TR 7015:(E)
The NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety &and Health (NIOSH) itself, due to the formula for
calculating the lifting index (LI), changed the maximum limit value of its first formula several times over
the years, through years of application experience. Recently the NIOSH added the formula for calculating
the variable lifting index (VLI) for the evaluation of manual lifting tasks of complex loads, with many
[21],[67[21],[67] ]
different weights and geometries. . The gained experience in this type of analysis was
introduced in ISO/TR 12295 and ISO 11228-1.
For the study of working postures it is important to point out the new time-based assessment
[25 ] [25]
computerized strategy (TACOS) (Timing Assessment Computerized Strategy for posture) strategy,
which adds to all the experience gained from the RULA and REBA methods and from ISO 11226, a more
adequate timing assessment (therefore not only qualitative studies of work postures, but also studies of
their real duration).
The mathematical criterion for the extension of the calculation of any risk factors for the study of
biomechanical overload, not only for the working day cycle but also for cycles different in duration (e.g.
annual cultivation cycles)), was also discussed within a specifically activated writing group of experts for
the preparation of this document. The transition is indispensable for the extension of the evaluation
models already present in the specific International Standards (all used in this document) to the risk
evaluation in multitask exposition with annual turnover needed for risk studies in construction (see
Annex BAnnex B).).
Any other risk assessment methods that include a multitask analysis procedure can adopt the criteria
here proposed, extending multitask annual exposure risk study, for instance to:
— — repetitive movements (e.g. strain index, method present in ISO 11228-3);
— — manual handling of loads (NIOSH formula in ISO 11228-1).);
— — Applicationapplication of ISO 11226, the ISO 11228 series and ISO/TR 12295 in the agricultural
sector (ISO/TR 23476)).
© ISO 2023 – All rights reserved vii

---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------
ISO/PRF TR 7015:(E)
Ergonomics — Application — The application of ISO/TR 12295,
ISO 11226, the ISO 11228 series ISO/TR 12295 and ISO/TR 23476
(agriculture) in the construction sector (civil construction)
1 Scope
This document is intended to be used alongside ISO/TR 12295, ISO 11226, the ISO 11228 series and
ISO/TR 23476 (agriculture) in the construction sector.
This document (although the examples shown refer only to the civil construction sector) gives
information on how existing standards can be used in a global sector, such as construction. Where , albeit
with different characteristics, biomechanical overload is a relevant aspect, albeit with different
characteristics, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are common and specific preventive
actions are needed.
This document is intended to:
1) 1) define the user(s) and fields for its application (including non-experts in ergonomics);
2) 2) provide examples of procedures for hazard identification, risk estimation or evaluation and risk
reduction in different agricultural settings, through:
— — more synthetic procedural schemes (main test);
— — more analytical explanations of the procedures, through mathematical models and
application examples, alsoand with the use of specific free simple tools, in Annexes A, B and
C:.
— — Annex A
— — Annex B
— — Annex C
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in this document.
ISO and IEC maintain terminologicalterminology databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
— — ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— — IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
4 General outline of work processes in an annual multi-task analysis in civil
construction
4.1 General structure of a multi-task analysis
Specifically, this document provides additional information to aid the user in the selection and use of
the appropriate standards. Depending upon whether specific risks are present, it is intended to help the
user to decide which standards to apply. It will include three levels of approach (Figure 1(Figure 1):):
8 © ISO 2023 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 8 ----------------------
ISO/PRF TR 7015:(E)
— — First level: the “participatory approach” for pre-mapping of danger and discomfort provides all
users, particularly those who are not experts in ergonomics, with criteria and procedures to identify
situations in which they can apply the ISO 11228 series, ISO 11226 and ISO/TR 12295 as well as in
agricultural settings (ISO/TR 23476): key-enter and key-questions level. Only in the early analytical
stage is the opportunity offered to map, even if only using subjective data obtained by interviewing
the workers (through the identification of groups of workers, homogeneous for exposure to
occupational risks), all the occupational hazards and not just the risk of biomechanical overload.
— — Second level: provides a “quick assessment method” (according to the criteria provided in
ISO/TR 12295 and in ISO/TR 23476) for easily recognizing activities that are “definitely acceptable
or definitely critical”. If an activity is “neither definitely acceptable nor definitely critical”,, it is
necessary to complete a detailed risk-assessment as set out in the standards, continuing with the
necessary subsequent preventive actions.
— — Third level: refer to detailed methods for risk assessment set out in the relevant standards when
the quick assessment method shows that the activity risk falls between the two exposure conditions
(definitely acceptable or definitely critical).
The aboveThese approaches and scopes are illustrated in the flowchart in Figure 1Figure 1 and are
described in the main text of ISO/TR 12295.
At first the user is required to answer a short series of practical questions present in the first and second
level. It is emphasized that the quick-assessment method is best implemented using a participatory
approach involving workers in the enterprise (homogeneous groups of workers).
This involvement is deemed to be essential for effectively setting priorities for dealing with the different
hazard and risk conditions and, where necessary, identifying effective risk reduction measures.
In construction, as well as in agriculture evaluation, it can be possible to limit the study to the first and
second levels, obtaining sufficient data about occupational risk priorities.
The analytical risk assessment approach (third level) provides all users, especially those experienced in
ergonomics, or familiar with the ISO 11228 series, with details and criteria for applying the risk
assessment methods proposed in the original standards also to construction.
This analytical risk assessment approach is fully consistent with the methods proposed in the standards
and does not introduce any changes in the criteria (mathematical model) for risk calculations, defined
in the existing standards (as well expressed in ISO/TR 12295) but only adapts the proposed
methodology to the risk assessment in construction
The proposed additional analyses aim to facilitate the use of the actual standards, making it possible to
extend them to risk assessment in agriculture (ISO/TR 23476) and now, with many methodological
analogies, also to construction (Annexes A(Annexes A, B, B and CC present application examples in civil
construction).



Key Enters
The first (basic level) involves a quick and overall identification of possible risk inducers through specific key enters.

This level must ensure all users, an overall simple interpretation of the workplace considering each type of risk:


Chemical
Manual Repetitive Posture Noise Biological
Microclimate
Stress

Handling Lighting and
Movements Pollutants
Tools
Other agents
Vibration
No Yes
Etc.
Quick Assessment (only biomechanical part)
© ISO 2023 – All rights reserved 9
The subsequent level (first level) involves quick identification through quick assessment techniques of full risk
acceptability conditions (green code) or very high risk conditions (critical code). For green the risk assessment can
be interrupted at this level.
To Evaluate
Critical Condition
Absent (Green Code)

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ISO/PRF TR 7015:(E)










Figure 1 — Different risk assessment levels according to ISO/TR 12295 for biomechanical
overload estimation
4.2 Study of tasks distribution over the year on groups of workers who are
homogeneous in terms of risk exposure
4.2.1 General
Studying the organization of work in the construction sector, the basis for comprehensively addressing
the study of exposure risk, is certainly very complex. In this work, while evaluation criteria and
10 © ISO 2023 – All rights reserved

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ISO/PRF TR 7015:(E)
techniques can be extended to all sectors that characterize construction, the application examples
presented here refer to the civil construction sector.
Table 1Table 1 summarizes the main macro-phases that characterize the civil construction sector, which
can be summarized even more briefly, below, in 8eight main construction phases: ground preparation,
excavation of foundations and their reinforcement; construction of vertical and horizontal support
structures (pillars and support beams); flooring construction; construction of internal and external
walls; re-embossing and finishing of internal and external walls and floors with mortar; external
coatings and internal whitewashing; laying pipes for electrical systems; roof construction.
We have deliberately neglected theThe study of the finishes of civil constructions with the installation
of all the necessary systems, such as plumbing, electrical, heating, or the laying of interior coverings
(wood tiles), etc.,has been deliberately neglected, since each of these works presents its own specific
risk professional.
Table 1 - — Main macro-phases and work phases present in the civil construction sector
Macro-phases Phases
supplies cranes Deleted Cells
-— pallets trucks
Deleted Cells

-— wheelbarrows


work tools -— jack hammer
-— planer
-— drill
-— float
-— hammer
-— trowel

-— screwdriver

-— crowbar
-— line level
-— spade

foundation -— initial
Split Cells
excavation and preparation of the
Split Cells
armour soil

-— delimitation of
building site -
excavation and
drilling
-— land
compaction-
positioning
foundation
armour, beams,

pipes.


© ISO 2023 – All rights reserved 11

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ISO/PRF TR 7015:(E)
Macro-phases Phases
building -— preparation of Deleted Cells
vertical wooden panels
Deleted Cells
support
construction and
supplies
assembly shapes


and frames in
wood for pillars
and beams

building -— laying support
horizontal material
supports:
floor/ceiling
floors/ceiling
assembly

piping installation
-— concrete
distribution-
disassembly of
wooden structure

wall external and
construction internal wall
with bricks; construction with
electrical bricks

installations
-— electrical
installations

mortar facade coating –
application and external and
finishing internal wall,
beams and pillar,
window, doors,


ceiling with mortar
-— finishing; floor
levelling mortar -
waterproofing

external and -— different
internal coating external coating
(painting or
-— internal coating
other)
(painting or other

12 © ISO 2023 – All rights reserved

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ISO/PRF TR 7015:(E)
Macro-phases Phases
roof assembly roof assembly -
structure


In a setting such as construction, before starting a risk analysis, it is necessary to define a set of
procedures and criteria for estimating risk in complex situations where workers perform multiple tasks,
variously distributed in qualitative and quantitative terms over the year (annual cycle).
The general risk evaluation process entails a certain number of steps, beginning with:
a) a) identification of the macrocycle of the many different tasks;
b) b) analysis of construction site to identify tasks performed within the period and obtain a
qualitative definition of the work during each month of the year;
c) c) identification of one or more homogeneous groups.
4.2.2 Macrocycle duration
Task rotation is when a worker alternates between two or more tasks during a certain period of time;
this situation occurs quite often in modern work organizations and, if properly designed, can represent
one of the most effective strategies for reducing the risk of biomechanical overload.
In situations, such as in construction, where the worker has to perform a large number of tasks and the
tasks can be distributed “asymmetrically” over the shift, risk assessments can become extremely
complex. This is why it is necessary to carry out a thorough preliminary study of how the work is
organized. At any rate, the risk analysis process involves different steps, listed further on.
The first step consists in defining the time required to complete the task rotation schedule; this is the
macro-cycle time, which can be daily, weekly, monthly or yearly.
The types of macrocycles durations are infinite, but if there are no simplification criteria that allow us
to estimate the risk to be estimated, every risk assessment stops and nobody does anythingnothing is
done (the excuse being that the mission is impossible).
The modal macro-cycle periods appear to be, at least in the sectors of agriculture, building construction
and services, accurately representative of job cycles. In civil construction, task rotations are typically
annual, but one can use annual cycles even when multiple cycles of fewer months in each year are
repeated identically. In the construction sector there is generally a yearly cycle for large construction
sites, but a monthly
...

TECHNICAL ISO/TR
REPORT 7015
First edition
Ergonomics — The application of
ISO/TR 12295, ISO 11226, the ISO
11228 series and ISO/TR 23476
in the construction sector (civil
construction)
PROOF/ÉPREUVE
Reference number
ISO/TR 7015:2023(E)
© ISO 2023

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
ISO/TR 7015:2023(E)
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2023
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
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ISO/TR 7015:2023(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction . vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 General outline of work processes in an annual multi-task analysis in civil
construction . 1
4.1 General structure of a multi-task analysis . 1
4.2 Study of tasks distribution over the year on groups of workers who are
homogeneous in terms of risk exposure . 3
4.2.1 General . 3
4.2.2 Macrocycle duration . 5
4.2.3 Phase and task identification . 6
4.2.4 Identification of the different homogeneous groups . 10
5 First levels: pre-mapping of danger and discomfort through key questions and
quick assessment .12
5.1 Foreword.12
5.2 The pre-mapping model . 13
6 Analytical study of work processes in annual multi-task analysis: description of a
typical working day for each month and quantitative task distribution over the year .15
6.1 General . 15
6.2 Phase A – Description of a typical working day . 15
6.3 Phase B – Estimation of total number of hours worked every month of the year . 17
6.4 Phase C – Assignment of tasks to a homogeneous group (or individual worker) and
calculation of proportional tasks duration in each individual month . 17
7 Annual multi-task risk assessment of biomechanical overload for the upper limbs .20
7.1 General . 20
7.2 Phase A – Analysis of each individual task using the OCRA checklist to calculate
the intrinsic risk score and prepare the tasks basic risk evaluation for each crop .20
7.3 Phase B – Application of mathematical models and preliminary preparation of
artificial working day representative of the whole year and of every month of the
same year. 20
8 Annual multi-task risk assessment for working postures .22
8.1 The meaning of postural tolerance . 22
8.2 Analysing the tolerability of working postures for the spine when performing
manual lifting tasks, and for the upper limbs when performing repetitive
movements and manual lifting: specific International Standards .23
8.3 Analysing spinal working postures without manual load lifting and lower limb
postures (primarily static) .23
8.4 The TACOS method: contents and criteria for back and lower limb posture analysis .25
8.5 Posture analysis of a multi-task job performed on a full-time or part-time basis
with yearly job rotation . 26
9 Annual multi-task risk assessment of manual material handling (MMH) and
carrying .32
10 Annual multi-task risk assessment of pushing and pulling .35
11 Manual material carrying (MMC) risk assessment .37
12 Conclusions .38
iii
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ISO/TR 7015:2023(E)
Annex A (informative) Initial identification and preliminary assessment (pre-mapping) of
potential risks: criteria and presentation of a specific simple tool that allows its
application .40
Annex B (informative) Criteria and mathematical models for analysing exposure to
biomechanical overload in multitask jobs featuring complex macro-cycles (e.g.
weekly, monthly, annual turnover) .70
Annex C (informative) Criteria to evaluate working postures of the spine and lower limbs
using the TACOS strategy in daily or other macro-cycle multi-task analysis: brief
presentation .98
Bibliography .117
iv
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---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------
ISO/TR 7015:2023(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to
the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 159, Ergonomics, Subcommittee SC 3,
Anthropometry and biomechanics.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
v
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---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------
ISO/TR 7015:2023(E)
Introduction
Construction is one of the biggest working sectors in the world. The sector includes an immense
diversity of skill sets and categories of workers. In addition, the size, structure and market of
construction companies can also be extremely variable. The sector employs on average between 5 %
to 10 % of the workforce in most countries, indicating that construction is a significant component of
the global economy and is one of the largest employers in the world. Globally, musculoskeletal disorders
are the major cause of work-related illnesses, accounting for more than 33 % of all occupational
[49]
diseases, with the prevalence becoming 65 % for construction workers. There are also indirect
socio-economic implications due to job loss, absenteeism, health costs and even worker hospitalization.
[29]
There is no doubt that the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) can
significantly contribute to reduce economic and social impact. Increasing attention is being drawn to
the application of practical actions in construction settings to help reduce work-related accidents and
illness and WMSDs in particular. ISO 11226, the ISO 11228 series and, more recently, ISO/TR 12295 and
ISO/TR 23476 are useful for this specific scope.
Experiences in the application of these documents have been acquired in different parts of the world,
but rarely in construction. This document extends the scope and methods included in existing standards
to all the different construction, although the application experiences presented in this document are
mainly based on the civil construction sector. Special attention is devoted to rendering this document
accessible also to non-experts. Reference is made to easily applicable, non-commercial online tools
(simple tools in spreadsheets) that can be useful for the purposes of this document, making possible the
application of the criteria provided here and therefore the real numerical estimate of the biomechanical
overload risks.
The ISO 11228 series, ISO 11226, ISO/TR 12295 and ISO/TR 23476 establish ergonomic recommendations
for different manual handling tasks, repetitive movements and working postures. All their parts apply
to occupational and non-occupational activities. The documents provide information for designers,
employers, employees and others involved in work, job and product design, such as occupational health
and safety professionals.
The ISO 11228 series consists of the following parts, under the general title Ergonomics — Manual
handling:
— Part 1: Lifting, lowering and carrying;
— Part 2: Pushing and pulling;
— Part 3: Handling of low loads at high frequency.
ISO 11226 provides recommended limits for static working postures with no or minimal external force
exertion, while taking into account body angles and duration.
ISO/TR 12295 serves as an application guide of the ISO 11228 series and ISO 11226. It offers a simple
risk assessment methodology for small and medium enterprises and for non-professional active.
This document is intended to be used alongside ISO/TR 12295, ISO 11226, the ISO 11228 series and
ISO/TR 23476, also in the construction sector, where the risk from biomechanical work overload from
repetitive movements, from manual handling of loads, from towing and pushing carts and awkward
postures is universally present.
[22]
The OCRA checklist method, in its multi-day cycle risk assessment version, is currently the only
risk assessment method available in literature capable of offering criteria and application experiences
to address multitask analysis (supported by a specific simple tool in the form of free download
spreadsheets for final risk calculation).
ISO/TR 12295 had already adopted this multitask method of exposure analysis.
After all, the development of a method capable of predicting the appearance of pathologies (real risk
assessment method) can be optimized only after years of use and improvement. The development of
vi
PROOF/ÉPREUVE © ISO 2023 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------
ISO/TR 7015:2023(E)
a new TR which, offering evaluation solutions for biomechanical overload study in construction, can
stimulate many more valid epidemiological studies in the future, is therefore desirable. The concept of
doing nothing, while waiting for sufficient and perfect published methods, means not doing prevention.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) itself, due to the formula for
calculating the lifting index (LI), changed the maximum limit value of its first formula several times
over the years, through years of application experience. Recently the NIOSH added the formula for
calculating the variable lifting index (VLI) for the evaluation of manual lifting tasks of complex loads,
[21],[67]
with many different weights and geometries. The gained experience in this type of analysis was
introduced in ISO/TR 12295 and ISO 11228-1.
For the study of working postures it is important to point out the new time-based assessment
[25]
computerized strategy (TACOS) for posture, which adds to all the experience gained from the
RULA and REBA methods and from ISO 11226, a more adequate timing assessment (therefore not only
qualitative studies of work postures, but also studies of their real duration).
The mathematical criterion for the extension of the calculation of any risk factors for the study of
biomechanical overload, not only for the working day cycle but also for cycles different in duration (e.g.
annual cultivation cycles), was also discussed within a specifically activated writing group of experts
for the preparation of this document. The transition is indispensable for the extension of the evaluation
models already present in the specific International Standards (all used in this document) to the risk
evaluation in multitask exposition with annual turnover needed for risk studies in construction (see
Annex B).
Any other risk assessment methods that include a multitask analysis procedure can adopt the criteria
here proposed, extending multitask annual exposure risk study, for instance to:
— repetitive movements (e.g. strain index, method present in ISO 11228-3);
— manual handling of loads (NIOSH formula in ISO 11228-1);
— application of ISO 11226, the ISO 11228 series and ISO/TR 12295 in the agricultural sector
(ISO/TR 23476).
vii
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---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------
TECHNICAL REPORT ISO/TR 7015:2023(E)
Ergonomics — The application of ISO/TR 12295, ISO
11226, the ISO 11228 series and ISO/TR 23476 in the
construction sector (civil construction)
1 Scope
This document is intended to be used alongside ISO/TR 12295, ISO 11226, the ISO 11228 series and
ISO/TR 23476 in the construction sector.
This document (although the examples shown refer only to the civil construction sector) gives
information on how existing standards can be used in a global sector, such as construction. Where
biomechanical overload is a relevant aspect, albeit with different characteristics, work-related
musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are common and specific preventive actions are needed.
This document is intended to:
1) define the user(s) and fields for its application (including non-experts in ergonomics);
2) provide examples of procedures for hazard identification, risk estimation or evaluation and risk
reduction in different agricultural settings, through:
— more synthetic procedural schemes (main test);
— more analytical explanations of the procedures, through mathematical models and application
examples, and with the use of specific free simple tools in Annexes A, B and C.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in this document.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
4 General outline of work processes in an annual multi-task analysis in civil
construction
4.1 General structure of a multi-task analysis
Specifically, this document provides additional information to aid the user in the selection and use of
the appropriate standards. Depending upon whether specific risks are present, it is intended to help the
user to decide which standards to apply. It will include three levels of approach (Figure 1):
— First level: the participatory approach for pre-mapping of danger and discomfort provides all users,
particularly those who are not experts in ergonomics, with criteria and procedures to identify
situations in which they can apply the ISO 11228 series, ISO 11226 and ISO/TR 12295 as well as in
agricultural settings (ISO/TR 23476): key-enter and key-questions level. Only in the early analytical
1
© ISO 2023 – All rights reserved PROOF/ÉPREUVE

---------------------- Page: 8 ----------------------
ISO/TR 7015:2023(E)
stage is the opportunity offered to map, even if only using subjective data obtained by interviewing
the workers (through the identification of groups of workers, homogeneous for exposure to
occupational risks), all the occupational hazards and not just the risk of biomechanical overload.
— Second level: provides a quick assessment method (according to the criteria provided in
ISO/TR 12295 and in ISO/TR 23476) for easily recognizing activities that are definitely acceptable or
definitely critical. If an activity is neither definitely acceptable nor definitely critical, it is necessary
to complete a detailed risk-assessment as set out in the standards, continuing with the necessary
subsequent preventive actions.
— Third level: refer to detailed methods for risk assessment set out in the relevant standards when the
quick assessment method shows that the activity risk falls between the two exposure conditions
(definitely acceptable or definitely critical).
These approaches and scopes are illustrated in the flowchart in Figure 1 and are described in the main
text of ISO/TR 12295.
At first the user is required to answer a short series of practical questions present in the first and second
level. It is emphasized that the quick-assessment method is best implemented using a participatory
approach involving workers in the enterprise (homogeneous groups of workers).
This involvement is deemed to be essential for effectively setting priorities for dealing with the different
hazard and risk conditions and, where necessary, identifying effective risk reduction measures.
In construction, as well as in agriculture evaluation, it can be possible to limit the study to the first and
second levels, obtaining sufficient data about occupational risk priorities.
The analytical risk assessment approach (third level) provides all users, especially those experienced
in ergonomics, or familiar with the ISO 11228 series, with details and criteria for applying the risk
assessment methods proposed in the original standards also to construction.
This analytical risk assessment approach is fully consistent with the methods proposed in the standards
and does not introduce any changes in the criteria (mathematical model) for risk calculations, defined in
the existing standards (as well expressed in ISO/TR 12295) but only adapts the proposed methodology
to the risk assessment in construction
The proposed additional analyses aim to facilitate the use of the actual standards, making it possible
to extend them to risk assessment in agriculture (ISO/TR 23476) and now, with many methodological
analogies, also to construction (Annexes A, B and C present application examples in civil construction).
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Figure 1 — Different risk assessment levels according to ISO/TR 12295 for biomechanical
overload estimation
4.2 Study of tasks distribution over the year on groups of workers who are
homogeneous in terms of risk exposure
4.2.1 General
Studying the organization of work in the construction sector, the basis for comprehensively addressing
the study of exposure risk is certainly very complex. In this work, while evaluation criteria and
techniques can be extended to all sectors that characterize construction, the application examples
presented here refer to the civil construction sector.
Table 1 summarizes the main macro-phases that characterize the civil construction sector, which can
be summarized even more briefly in eight main construction phases: ground preparation, excavation
of foundations and their reinforcement; construction of vertical and horizontal support structures
(pillars and support beams); flooring construction; construction of internal and external walls; re-
embossing and finishing of internal and external walls and floors with mortar; external coatings and
internal whitewashing; laying pipes for electrical systems; roof construction.
The study of the finishes of civil constructions with the installation of all the necessary systems, such
as plumbing, electrical, heating or the laying of interior coverings (wood tiles), has been deliberately
neglected, since each of these works presents its own specific risk professional.
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ISO/TR 7015:2023(E)
Table 1 — Main macro-phases and work phases present in the civil construction sector
Macro-phases Phases
supplies cranes
— pallets trucks
— wheelbarrows
work tools — jack hammer
— planer
— drill
— float
— hammer
— trowel
— screwdriver
— crowbar
— line level
— spade
foundation — initial prepara-
excavation and tion of the soil
armour
— delimitation
of building site
-excavation and
drilling
— land compac-
tion-position-
ing foundation
armour, beams,
pipes
building ver- — preparation of
tical support wooden panels
supplies
construction and
assembly shapes
and frames in
wood for pillars
and beams
building hori- — laying support
zontal sup- material
ports: floors/
floor/ceiling as-
ceiling
sembly
piping installation
— concrete dis-
tribution-disas-
sembly of wooden
structure
wall con- external and
struction with internal wall
bricks; electri- construction with
cal installa- bricks
tions
— electrical in-
stallations
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ISO/TR 7015:2023(E)
TTabablele 1 1 ((ccoonnttiinnueuedd))
Macro-phases Phases
mortar ap- facade coating
plication and – external and
finishing internal wall,
beams and pillar,
window, doors,
ceiling with
mortar
— finishing; floor
levelling mortar
-waterproofing
external and — different exter-
internal coat- nal coating
ing (painting
— internal coat-
or other)
ing (painting or
other
roof assembly roof assembly
-structure
In a setting such as construction, before starting a risk analysis it is necessary to define a set of
procedures and criteria for estimating risk in complex situations where workers perform multiple
tasks, variously distributed in qualitative and quantitative terms over the year (annual cycle).
The general risk evaluation process entails a certain number of steps, beginning with:
a) identification of the macrocycle of the many different tasks;
b) analysis of construction site to identify tasks performed within the period and obtain a qualitative
definition of the work during each month of the year;
c) identification of one or more homogeneous groups.
4.2.2 Macrocycle duration
Task rotation is when a worker alternates between two or more tasks during a certain period of time;
this situation occurs quite often in modern work organizations and, if properly designed, can represent
one of the most effective strategies for reducing the risk of biomechanical overload.
In situations, such as in construction, where the worker has to perform a large number of tasks and
the tasks can be distributed asymmetrically over the shift, risk assessments can become extremely
complex. This is why it is necessary to carry out a thorough preliminary study of how the work is
organized. At any rate, the risk analysis process involves different steps, listed further on.
The first step consists in defining the time required to complete the task rotation schedule; this is the
macro-cycle time, which can be daily, weekly, monthly or yearly.
The types of macrocycles durations are infinite, but if there are no simplification criteria that allow the
risk to be estimated, every risk assessment stops and nothing is done (the excuse being that the mission
is impossible).
The modal macro-cycle periods appear to be, at least in the sectors of agriculture, building construction
and services, accurately representative of job cycles. In civil construction, task rotations are typically
annual, but one can use annual cycles even when multiple cycles of fewer months in each year are
repeated identically. In the construction sector there is generally a yearly cycle for large construction
sites, but a monthly cycle (modal) is more frequent in smaller-scale constructions and civil renovation
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projects. In other sectors (e.g. logistics for retail chains, cleaning services, food preparation facilities),
the most common rotation scenario is monthly, while in yet other situations (e.g. supermarkets) tasks
can be rotated on a weekly or, occasionally, a monthly basis.
In summary, some practical options are provided here for using the predefined macro-cycle (weekly,
monthly, yearly), thus certainly simplifying subsequent evaluations:
— If several identical
...