If the answer to any of the following questions is Yes, the activity should be further reviewed.
Checklist for identifying potential ergonomics risk factors by activity
September 1, 2004 2 minutes read
If the answer to any of the following questions is "Yes," the activity should be further reviewed.
Force in Lifting
- Does the lift involve pinching to hold the object?
- Is heavy lifting done with one hand?
- Are very heavy items lifted without the assistance of a mechanical device?
- Are heavy items lifted while bending over, reaching above shoulder height, or twisting?
- Are most items lifted rather than slid over the scanner?
Force in Pushing, Pulling, Carrying
- Are dollies, pallet jacks, or other carts difficult to get started?
- Is there debris (e.g., broken pallets), uneven surfaces (e.g., cracks in the floor), or dock plates that could catch the wheels while pushing?
- Is pulling rather than pushing routinely used to move an object?
- Are heavy objects carried manually for a long distance?
Force to Use Tools
- Do tools require the use of a pinch grip or single finger to operate?
- Are tools too large or too small for the employee’s hands?
Repetitive Tasks
- Are multiple scans needed?
- Is a quick wrist motion used while scanning?
- Do repetitive motions last for several hours without a break (e.g., slicing deli meats, scanning groceries)?
- Does the job require repeated finger force (e.g., kneading bread, squeezing frosting, using pricing gun)?
Awkward and Static Postures
- Is the back bent or twisted while lifting or holding heavy items?
- Are objects lifted out of or put into cramped spaces?
- Do routine tasks involve leaning, bending forward, kneeling, or squatting?
- Do routine tasks involve working with the wrists in a bent or twisted position?
- Are routine tasks done with the hands below the waist or above the shoulders?
- Are routine tasks done behind (e.g., pushing items to bagging) or to the sides of the body?
- Does the job require standing for most of the shift without anti-fatigue mats?
- Do employees work with their arms or hands in the same position for long periods of time without changing positions or resting?
Contact Stress
- Are there sharp or hard edges with which the worker may come into contact?
- Do employees use their hands as hammers (e.g., closing containers)?
- Does the end of the tool/utensil (knife) handle press into the worker’s palm?
Source: National Grocers Association, Arlington, VA.
If the answer to any of the following questions is Yes, the activity should be further reviewed.
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