Physiological workload evaluation of carrying soft drink beverage boxes on the back

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Ergonomics
• Industrial Engineering

Background:

• Soft drink manufacturing is a major Korean industry with over 20,000 employees.
• Delivery workers utilize hand trucks and backpack methods for product distribution.
• Backpack carriage is preferred by workers for perceived safety on stairs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the physiological workload associated with backpack-mode soft drink delivery.
• To analyze the impact of load weight and stair transport on worker exertion.
• To establish safety guidelines for delivery tasks involving backpack carriage.

Main Methods:

• Laboratory experiment measuring heart rate and oxygen uptake.
• Eight healthy male subjects participated in the study.
• Carrying loads of 40 kg and 60 kg on level ground, upstairs, and downstairs.

Main Results:

• Stairway transport significantly increases physiological burden compared to level ground.
• Carrying a 60 kg load resulted in a higher physiological cost than a 40 kg load.
• Backpack mode, while offering some biomechanical benefits, poses significant risks with heavier loads.

Conclusions:

• Workers should carry loads less than 40 kg to mitigate high physiological load.
• Delivery personnel should opt for more frequent trips with lighter loads over fewer trips with heavier loads.
• Implementing these guidelines can enhance safety and reduce physical strain in soft drink delivery operations.