Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted to quantify the physical demands of manual material handling in distribution centers. One hundred and sixty-three workers were assessed wearing the moment monitor. The moment monitor measures static and dynamic mass of the boxes as well as the trunk kinematics and moment arms of each manual material handling exertion. The moment monitor analysis software distinguishes between lifting, lowering, pushing/pulling exertions. Paired comparison between lifting and lowering were performed on 163 workers. The results showed no differences in static mass or moment whereas the dynamic z force and dynamic moment were significantly greater for lifting. Trunk kinematic results showed greater sagittal velocity for lifting compared to lowering but greater lateral velocity for lowering compared to lifting.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

NRC, Musculoskeletal disorders and the workplace: low back and upper extremity, ed. P.o.M.D.a.t. Workplace. 2001, Washington D.C.: National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council, National Academy Press.

Bernard

Musculoskeletal disorders and workplace factors. 1997, Cincinnati, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.

Marras , The role of dynamic three-dimensional trunk motion in occupationally-related low back disorders. The effects of workplace factors, trunk position, and trunk motion characeteristics on risk of injury. Spine, 1993. 18(5): 617–628.

Ferguson

S.A.

Marras

W.S.

Differences in back motion characteristics as a function of task direction. In. Proceedings of the Human Factors Society (HFES) 1991 Congress. 1991. San Francisco, CA: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.

Differences between Lifting and Lowering Manual Material Handling Tasks in Distribution Centers

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References