Abstract
The Multi-Media Video Task Analysis (MVTA) tool was utilized in a retail environment to assess upper-extremity motion of cashiers. The objective of this study was to quantify wrist motion in order to evaluate the ergonomic impact of a new piece of technology on the upper-extremities. Data were collected before installation of a magnetic-based security system and four months after cashiers had been trained and used the new system in their jobs. Both video and wrist motion, collected via electro-goniometers, were captured from six cashiers processing customer transactions in a Dutch supermarket. MVTA allowed the analysts to demarcate precise sub-tasks of the demagnetizing and scanning process and link corresponding wrist posture and acceleration which allowed for a more powerful assessment. Task and workstation design recommendations were made to reduce extreme wrist postures. In addition, task time differences between the current and new systems were assessed to ensure that the change would not negatively impact performance.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.