Quantification of Ergonomic Exposures for Restaurant Servers

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Ergonomics
• Musculoskeletal Disorders

Background:

• Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a significant concern for restaurant servers.
• Limited research exists on the specific ergonomic risk factors faced by this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document potential ergonomic stressors experienced by restaurant servers during a typical shift.
• To assess the relationship between job demands and server discomfort.

Main Methods:

• Direct observation of tray weight, frequency, and serving postures.
• Activity monitoring using ActivPal devices to measure sitting, standing, and walking time.
• Surveys to assess workload perception and discomfort levels.

Main Results:

• Servers handled an average of 16.4 kg per hour, with 6.3 kg per tray.
• Over 90% of servers stood for 5-8 hours, with objective data showing 76% of shift time spent standing or walking.
• Upper back (55%), lower back (50%), and neck (45%) were the most reported areas of discomfort.

Conclusions:

• Tray weight, prolonged standing/walking, and awkward postures are identified risk factors for MSDs in servers.
• While this study did not establish a direct causal link to MSDs, the identified loads and postures pose a risk.
• Findings suggest that even seemingly moderate loads can be risky, especially during peak service times.