123 4th Avenue
New York, New York
USA 547890
Dear Mr. Green:
Safety and health is crucial in every endeavor. As such, conducting tasks analyses in a work setting is paramount to ensuring that the health condition and safety of all personnel are taken into utmost consideration. As such, in response to your request, I am hereby documenting the “Task Analysis – Ergonomics Report” which summarizes the results of the recently conducted task analysis – ergonomics assessment on a specific job at your convenience store, that of a Shelves Stacker, which was conducted on October 23, 2014. The report contains relevant information which includes a summary of pertinent observations, conclusions and recommendations, as deemed necessary.
I hope the report would provide you with the opportunity to improve tasks and jobs in your company, which is considered pertinent for the overall safety and health condition of your workers.
Sincerely,
<Your Name>
987 12th Avenue
Jamaica, New York
USA 547896
Introduction
The task analysis – ergonomics assessment was conducted at the 24/7 Convenience Store upon request. Some tasks were evaluated according to hazards and risks for possible contraction of injuries, illnesses, and other work-related health concerns. Varied complaints received from employees, specifically Shelves Stackers, regarding increased tendencies for contracting musculoskeletal disorders due to work-related activities provided the impetus for the task analysis. The current report hereby presents proposed recommendations for improving current tasks in terms of proposed ergonomics actions through enhancing knowledge and awareness on the ergonomics risk factors within the shelves stacking tasks.
Description of the Process: Shelves Stacking
The job of shelves stacking entails handling inventories and merchandise of the convenience store through filling or stacking shelves with the products purchased by consumers. As such, the shelves stacker identifies the products that need to be replenished and advises the store manager to re-order, as needed. When the ordered merchandise arrives from the suppliers, the shelves stacker brings in the products in preparation for stacking. In addition, the position requires arranging the products in a neat and orderly fashion.
Tasks Analysis – Ergonomics Assessment
- General Workstation/Environment Based Observations
- There are no chairs that were provided to stackers in undertaking of the shelving tasks;
- There were no personal protective equipment (PPE) provided to shelves stackers;
- Lighting is fortunately adequate in the shelving area;
- The aisles were observed to be tight or congested due to the structural design of the store;
- The presence of boxes or carts, as receptacles of the products add to congestion in the work area;
- Shelves stackers are encouraged to report incidences of musculoskeletal disorders.
- Process-Specific Observations
- The shelves stacking process
- The risk factors identified in the shelves stacking process include the repetitive application of the hands and wrists, as shown below:
Shelves Stacking: Repetitive Application of Hands and Wrists
(4D, 5A, 6A, 6B, 9A, 9C, 10A, 10B)
- The shelves stacker’s right (or left) upper extremity (whichever is applicable and preferred by the stacker) was observed to be performing the following:
a. Cervical spine "neck"
- There is frequent rotation of the neck when viewing the merchandise at the top portion of the shelves for proper stacking;
- There is flexion when the stacker is taking products from the boxes or the cart to upper shelves.
- There is extension of the upper right extremities when the stacker is looking at the shelves to stack products.
b. Shoulders
- There is abduction when the stacker is putting the products from boxes or carts to the shelves at the rate of 25 degrees from normal position.
- There is flexion when the stacker is taking products from the boxes or the cart to upper shelves.
c. Forearm
- The stacker’s forearm is in prone and semi-prone when organizing products on the shelves.
d. Elbow
- There is flexion of the elbows when the stacker is taking products from the cart and extension when he is organizing products on the shelves.
e. Hands
- There is wrist extension when the stacker is putting the products on the shelves.
- There is wrist flexion when taking products from the cart or boxes to the shelves.
- There is application of power grip when holding the products or merchandise to and from the boxes or carts to the shelves.
- There is application of wrist radial deviation when taking products from the cart or boxes to arranging products to the shelves during the stacking process.
- There is application of wrist ulnar deviation when removing the stacker’s hand after taking the product from the cart or box and during the stacking process.
f. Spine
- There is flexion of the spine when he’s taking products from the cart or boxes and extension when standing and organizing the products on the shelves.
- The application of force in doing the stacking tasks through bringing in heavy products or merchandise in boxes prior to shelving where the effort apparently depends on the following factors:
- The frequency of flexing and putting products on shelves inflicts risks in the hands, arms and wrists;
- The grip needed to firmly secure and handle the products changes according to the weight and size of the merchandise for shelving and stacking;
- The slipperiness of the products would affect the application of force, as well as the effort exerted in shelving and stacking products;
- The force and concentration needed for shelving and stacking products in a neat and orderly fashion would affect efforts in shelving and stacking; and
- The level of concentration or force needed for shelves stacking would expose shelves stacker to risks of contracting musculoskeletal disorders.
- The visual illustration on the next page the application of force of shelves stackers where different products in diverse sizes and weights potentially impact the stacking process.
Shelves Stacking: Application of Force
(11B, 13A, 15B, 16B, 17, 10A, 10B)
- Repetitive tasks
- There are tasks within the shelves stacking cycle that require the use of hands and arms with cycle times in less than 30 per product shelved;
- There are also tasks within the shelves stacking cycle that manifests risks for static loading of products in different weights and tendencies for fatigue.
- Tasks that require constant holding of merchandise to be in position for 10 to 30 seconds manifest a warning level which should be duly monitored.
- Overall, tasks within the shelves stacking cycle were deemed to exhibit repetition for about 25% to 50% of tasks (getting merchandise from boxes or carts for shelving and stacking), which are also to be duly monitored.
- Changes in Position and Posture
- Standing posture must be monitored for tasks which require the knees to be partly bent while shelves stacking and require changes in position.
Standing Position with Repetitive Tasks
(1B, 2B, 4B, 4D, 5A, 6A, 9A, 9C, 9D, 10A, 10B)
- Likewise, there are tasks where the head or neck, as well as legs and body, which are exhibited to be bent forward position in less than 20 degrees that require due monitoring.
Tasks undertaken in Flexing Positions
(10A, 10B, 10C)
(10A, 10B, 10C)
- Tasks which require bending, twisting, or reaching by 45 degrees; or frequently by as much as 30% more than four hours per day without support needs due monitoring.
- Static Loading and Fatigue
- Shelving and stacking in standing position for prolonged periods, using same muscles (hands, wrists, arms) for long durations (6 seconds or more at a time) and repetitively (more than 50% repetition) increase propensities for fatigue.
- Lifting and Materials Handling
- Constant lifting and lowering movements to get merchandise for shelves stacking for more than 20 times per hour increases risks for injuries.
Lifting ad Handling Materials
(5A, 6A, 9A, 9C, 9D, 10A, 10B)
- Pushing and pulling of carts containing heavy merchandise from 10 carts or boxes per shelving tasks increases risks for contracting musculoskeletal injuries;
- High to moderate force is used to carry boxes or push/pull carts containing merchandise prior to shelves stacking requires due monitoring.
Summary of Ergonomic Concern with Regard to Risk Factors
- The results of the tasks analysis – ergonomic assessment revealed the following areas of concern:
- Repetitive shelving and stacking tasks could pose risks to the hands, arms and wrists;
- Repetitive shelving and stacking tasks could pose risks from bending, twisting, and reaching;
- Static form posture from long periods of standing or seating positions while arranging merchandise for stacking and shelving causes fatigue;
- Lifting and materials handling of merchandise of different weights from boxes and carts prior to shelving and stacking pose risks and tendencies for fatigue.
Recommendations
Shelves Stacking Process:
- Ensure that the merchandise or products being shelved contain the appropriate weight, grip, and hold that would not impose excessive force or weight to the hands, arms and wrist.
Repetitive Tasks:
- If repetitive shelves stacking are undertaken more than the prescribed standard, the employee could be provided with guidance according to Guidelines for Retail Grocery Store ;
- The tasks could be varied through rotation of personnel.
- Short breaks could also be provided to break repetitive tasks.
Posture and Position:
- Ergonomic tools and chairs could be provided to minimize twisting, reaching, and bending.
Static Loading and Fatigue
- Shifting of position to relieve fatigue could be undertaken;
- Rotation of shelves stackers according to specific product or merchandise to be shelved could be assigned.
Lifting and Materials Handing
- Work with suppliers to lessen the weight of merchandise placed in boxes or carts.
- Use a step stool to reach and arrange items on top shelves or knee stool for arranging products in lower shelves.
Other Recommendations:
- Review and redesign the work area to improve easy access to merchandise and products that are to be shelved frequently.
- Solicit the suggestions, comments, and proposals of the workers who are directly involved in the tasks.
- Review and consult updates from OSHA regarding ergonomics recommendations as deemed appropriate in the work setting
Engineering and Administrative Control to Alleviate Ergonomic Concern
- Rotation of shelves stackers and short breaks form the administrative control to alleviate risks of repetitive tasks.
- Engineering controls to include review of the design of stools, pads, and possible use of gloves for merchandise to prevent slipping of products from hands.
Conclusion
The objective of the tasks analysis – ergonomics assessment is to review the shelves stacking within the 24/7 Convenience Store and relay the recommended methods to improve the design of tasks, activities and work setting through ergonomics approach. The proposals also aim to minimize and eventually prevent injuries, as well as tendencies for musculoskeletal disorders. The recommendations would assist the convenience store in their commitment to ensure adherence to safety precautions and health in the work setting. The guidelines set by the OSHA should be appropriately communicated to shelves stackers and other personnel for sustained safety and health in the work environment.
Reference
OSHA. (n.d.). Guidelines for Retail Grocery Stores. Retrieved October 23, 2014, from osha.gov: https://www.osha.gov/ergonomics/guidelines/retailgrocery/retailgrocery.html
