Abstract
A Health Hazard Evaluation was conducted by researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Safety Research at a cabinet manufacturing facility. Company management requested the evaluation due to a high incidence of musculoskeletal disorders mat were thought to be job related. Ergonomic assessments of selected jobs in raw material handling, sawing operations, frame assembly, sanding and painting, cabinet assembly, and the packaging-shipping departments were performed. Company log of injuries and company injury surveillance data were reviewed. Jobs were identified that imposed potentially stressful biomechanical demands on the workers. These included heavy lifting, pushing and transporting heavy loads, fatiguing postures, repetitive lifting involving twisting the trunk and excessive reaching, and repetitive motions of the trunk and upper limbs. Survey data indicate that manual material handling jobs, repetitive motion tasks, and operation of saws, planers, and sanders are potential hazards. Recommendations to reduce injury risk are to provide basic safety training for all employees, and redesign equipment to reduce stress during heavy lifting, transporting loads, and while performing repetitive tasks.
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