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Quantification of Postures for Low-Height Object Manipulation Conducted by Manual Material Handlers in a Retail
Jack Geissinger1, Mohammad Mehdi Alemi2, Athulya A Simon2
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
Summary
Material handlers frequently use non-traditional postures like split-legged stances and one-legged lifts for stocking. Understanding comfort and mobility factors in these postures is key for effective, injury-reducing training programs.
Area of Science:
- Occupational health and safety
- Ergonomics
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Material handlers spend significant time in bent postures during stocking tasks.
- Traditional stoops and squats are infrequently used by these workers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the postures adopted by material handlers during stocking.
- To understand the relationship between object manipulation, posture, and duration.
- To inform the development of more effective and adoptable worker training programs.
Main Methods:
- Observational analysis of manual material handlers performing stocking tasks.
- Correlation of object manipulation distance and height with adopted postures.
- Assessment of time spent in various postures.
Main Results:
- Workers predominantly used split-legged stoops/squats and one-legged lifts instead of traditional ones.
- Object manipulation parameters (reach distance, height) correlated with specific postures.
- Varied durations were observed for different postures, suggesting comfort or efficiency factors.
Conclusions:
- Worker-adopted postures deviate from traditional training methods.
- Factors like comfort, mobility, and energy expenditure likely influence posture selection.
- Training programs should integrate biomechanically sound, comfortable, and practical postures for better adoption and injury reduction.
