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Tray 1-A: NIOSH Investigations of WMSDs in Work Settings |
SIC Codes: 5411 5712 7349 7699
| Standard industrial classification (SIC) |
5411 Trade (Food Stores) |
| Work setting and tasks |
Check-out tasks at a grocery store. |
| Work-related musculoskeletal problems found |
Ergonomics evaluation only |
| Ergonomic risk factors found |
Repetitive and forceful exertions, awkward postures |
| Recommendations |
The major recommendation was to eliminate the practice of having the checker unload the grocery cart by proposing design changes to facilitate customer unloading of the grocery cart in checkout
In the interim, other engineering and work practice recommendations were made ranging from improving the mating between the grocery cart and the checkout counter by changing the height of checkout counters or grocery carts to discourage customers from placing items on the bottom shelf of the cart.
Improved training of cashiers was recommended |
| HETA/NTIS reference no. |
HETA 92-294-2301 NTIS order no. PB-94-110-376 |
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| Standard industrial classification (SIC) |
5712 Wholesale Trade (Furniture) |
| Work setting and tasks |
Wood kitchen cabinet manufacturer. Jobs include sanding, planing, painting, packing, shipping and lifting, pushing and pulling tasks. |
| Work-related musculoskeletal problems found |
Upper limb, neck, back, and lower limb |
| Ergonomic risk factors found |
Repetitive, static, and forceful exertions, awkward postures, and heavy lifting |
| Recommendations |
Numerous specific engineering control recommendations were made to minimize or eliminate risk factors associated with sustained postures, lifting and carrying, and repetitive exertions.
In addition, it was recommended that new employees start at slower rates so they can be conditioned and that frequent rest breaks be allowed. |
| HETA/NTIS reference no. |
HETA 88–384–2062 NTIS order no. PB–91–152–082 |
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| Standard industrial classification (SIC) |
7349 Services (Business services) |
| Work setting and tasks |
Janitorial employees using a back-pack vacuum cleaner in typical office cleaning work. |
| Work-related musculoskeletal problems found |
Shoulder, back, and neck discomfort. |
| Ergonomic risk factors found |
Increased muscle force and disc compression owing to weight of unit and typical forward leaning postures assumed when working with the vacuum unit. |
| Recommendations |
Train the workers in proper use of the vacuum unit, and periodically monitor its use and fit and any complaints. Allow the workers some flexibility in choice of equipment for a cleaning task. Use of the unit can prove difficult in a confined space. An upright unit can resolve such problems. |
| HETA/NTIS reference no. |
HETA 93–0805–2387 NTIS order no. PB–94–176–450 |
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| Standard industrial classification (SIC) |
7699 Services (Repair) |
| Work setting and tasks |
Missile and aircraft guidance system maintenance and repair work conducted using low power microscopes at an Air Force facility. |
| Work-related musculoskeletal problems found |
Upper limb and neck, back |
| Ergonomic risk factors found |
Awkward postures |
| Recommendations |
Engineering controls recommended included using improved adjustable chairs, tables, and work jigs. Work practice suggestions included better microscope use techniques such as more frequent lens leaning and looking away from the lens frequently. Reducing the time spent at the microscope each day by job enlargement and work practices training were suggested as administrative controls. |
| HETA/NTIS reference no. |
HETA 84–082–1713 NTIS order no. PB–87–114–682 |
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