In response to a request from a supervisor, you are asked to study the possible hazards associated with repetitive and heavy lifting in order selectors at the Jumbo Mart Grocery Warehouse located in Chicago, IL. Jumbo Mart is a retail grocery food supplier with warehouses in Chicago. Warehouse 1 is the subject of the investigation. This location contained all of the nonperishable grocery items. This warehouse reported a higher rate of injuries. Back injuries were the most important cause of lost workdays among the employees at this site; about 16 cases were reported per 100 workers. During the 5-year period for which data was reviewed, back injuries accounted for almost 60% of the time lost from work. More than 70% of the full-time selectors reported significant physical discomfort in the region of the low back and 18% reported having a back injury during the previous year. The analysis indicated that loads being lifted were too heavy, lifting rates were excessive, and stock locations were located either too low, too high, or too far away from the body. Other factors include poor housekeeping (clutter, slippery floors), suboptimal lighting, and shiftwork.
Your task is to analyze the ergonomic stressors (repetition, posture, force (excessive weight)) associated with this lifting job.
- Select two ergonomic analysis tools appropriate for this analysis and justify why you are selecting the particular tools.
- Discuss how you would conduct the analysis utilizing the tools you selected.
- Describe the type of collection data needed for each tool
- Explain why each tool was ultimately a good or suboptimal tool to assess the ergonomic stressors associated with this lifting job.
- Identify what factors may contribute to occupational psychosocial stress in warehouse workers.