From canteen to lunch box: ergonomic demands in distribution of portion-packed hot food

The present case-study, which is rather small in number of subjects but has a broad perspective, is part of a larger investigation designed to initiate development processes in working life in one specific region in Sweden. This study may serve as an example of ergonomic fieldwork with a gender perspective.

The overall aim was to examine the physical and psychosocial working conditions among a group of female hot food distributors, and to relate these conditions to other traditionally heavy work within the same working unit, as well as to suggest improvements.

The study group consisted of ten female municipal employees in a provincial town. Structured interviews about the psychosocial working conditions, measurements of heart rate, ratings of self-reported perceived exertion and observations of one working day were performed.

The overall impression from the study was that the food distributors in several aspects had a very difficult working situation that ought to be improved. The food distributors reported high psychological demands and low decision latitude, time pressure and dissatisfaction with not being able to live up to the pensioners' and the employer's expectations. They also had a high heart rate increase during work, which may be a risk factor for impaired health. Several short-term and long-term solutions were suggested to reduce and redistribute the total workload.

The employer has attended to some suggested short-term solutions and the follow-up study showed that the working conditions had been improved. A reduction of cardiovascular load, as well as self-rated physical exertion, was noted and the work was perceived as substantially less stressful.