Ergonomics; Can you assess your situation?

When working in retail there are many things that can be assessed from an ergonomics standpoint. 

A cashier's position can be a very strenuous one. With ranging sizes of objects to move through checkout, it is very hard for them to be able to move in the same pattern constantly while picking up different weights. This can cause an ergonomics issue. Turning the wrong way can create a back, shoulder, or many other types of issues. With a cashier standing in one spot for 8 hours it can be very unhealthy on their knees joints and feet.

 One of the most common issues found amongst people who work in retail is plantar fasciitis; caused from standing on the concrete for extended hours at a time. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the strong band of tissue that supports the arch of your foot becomes irritated and inflamed. Approximately 2 million patients are treated for this condition every year. Too much pressure damages or tears the tissues. 

People that stock the shelves also deal with a lot of lifting and the boxes can be kind of awkward varying in size and weight. They're not always prepared to pick up the boxes because it's hard to estimate weights.  Proper lifting practices are stressed in the workplace but are not always a solution to helping the situation. There are numerous tools and items that are used to make the jobs easier and minimize possibility for injury. These tools were likely created in result of ergonomics assessments and injuries costing the company money. 

When I worked at Walmart, it was highly encouraged to use a team left any time that you lifted anything over 50 pounds. Also, to minimize injury, there was a sticker they gave an inventory location as well as the weight of the box that way that you could anticipate how much you were about to lift and determine when to ask for assistance. Often when people feel rushed it is easy to make a mistake when you lift, that’s why it’s important to take your time.  You never know when something might happen that would jeopardize or strain your back, arms, neck, or anything on your body. A worker’s comp injury can automatically cost employers thousands of dollars while getting very messy very fast, that's why it's important to look ahead in evaluate these risks. 

Coming up with ways to improve the ergonomics of the situation is the smartest and least costly method for the employer.

References:

Orthoinfo.aas.org