There's no Such Thing as a Man's Job: Eliminating Strength and Size Barriers to Women in A Material Slitting Area

Abstract

A study was undertaken to ascertain if women could adequately perform a slitting job, and to determine any corresponding necessary female anthropometry. Present operators and machinery were measured, and photographic and observational task analyses were used in developing solutions.

Inexpensive modifications to commercially available material handling trucks would replace an overhead hoist system now in use. This would result in a significant decrease in operator motion affecting the lower back, eliminate hazardous situations when using the hoist, and decrease machine set-up time by 10%.

To decrease even further the muscle straining aspects and unsafe practices, lighter weight arbors, arbor release levers, and slit roll loading and storage were investigated.