100 TRESTON - ERGONOMICS | ESD | LEAN Illustration on the power zones where people have the greatest strength and most comfort, in regards of lifting and placing loads, pushing and pulling (i.e. above the knees, below the shoulders, and close to the body). Ergonomics for manual handling of loads Pushing and pulling from an ergonomics viewpoint Pushing and pulling are the two physical tasks most commonly related to working on and operating carts. The most common risk factors, related to pushing and pulling tasks, which could hinder the ergonomics, are forceful pushing/pulling, cart design that does not promote neutral body postures, wrong direction of exerted forces (e.g. pulling when you should be pushing), one handed pushing or pulling, too heavy loads and wrong handle height. A task suitable cart that adapts to the size of the user is the answer to reducing the risk of work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD), especially for lower back, knee and shoulder injuries. When selecting a cart for the task, you should always consider the human body power zones, where people have the greatest strength and most comfort working. See the image on the right as a reference. Cart design should ensure that pushing and pulling can be done from the optimal height, between the knuckle and shoulder height of the worker, with the arms as close to the body as possible. Working in your power zone reduces the start force needed for pushing and pulling, reduces the effort and force needed to perform work tasks, and reduces the stress on your back and shoulders. Manual handling of loads (also known as MMH – manual materials handling) means moving or handling things by lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, holding, or restraining. Manual handling of loads is generally considered to be an occupational risk factor for low back and shoulder complaints and it is in fact the most common cause of occupational fatigue, low back pain and lower back injuries. Therefore, it should not come as a surprise that paying attention to ergonomics for manual handling of loads is extremely important for the safety and health of the workers as well as for the efficiency and productivity of the processes. GOOD FAIR FAIR POOR VERY POOR VERY POOR VERY POOR VERY POOR VERY POOR VERY POOR Shoulder height Elbow height Hip height Knuckle height Knee height POOR POOR POOR POOR Carts
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