Investigation of static lifting strengths of hypermarket workers

• Main Authors: Chia-Jung Chen, 陳嘉榮
• Other Authors: Yi-Lang Chen
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2008
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/49462173793408724625

碩士 === 明志科技大學 === 工業管理研究所 === 96 === The objective of the study was to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort of the hypermarket workers through Nordic Musculoskeletal disorder Questionnaire (NMQ), and to collect the static lifting strengths, under various height levels (10~150 cm in increments of 10 cm) using two exertion methods (vertically upward lifting (VUL) and toward body lifting (TBL)), of eighteen experienced workers and eighteen novices. Result of NMQ showed that the shoulders were responded as the most uncomfortable (especially soreness) body part with a one-year prevalence of 41%. Furthermore, the discomfort of shoulders was significantly influenced by respondent’s tenure in hypermarket (p<0.05). Results of strength testing showed that the novices’ VUL forces were lower than workers’ while exerting at 100, 110, and 120 cm, whereas the latter surprisingly remained nearly no change throughout the full-range heights. As to the TBL, the forces consistently decreased with increased heights and were always less than 23 kg, which was suggested in the revised NIOSH lifting equation, regardless of working experience. The results of this study can provide references to develop training programs and more suitable shelf design for manual handling tasks in hypermarket.