The effect of handling products of different weights on trunk kinematics of supermarket cashiers

Rodacki, André Luíz Félix; Vieira, João E.; Okimoto, Maria Lúcia Leite Ribeiro; Fowler, Neil; Rodacki, Cintia de Lourdes Nahhas

doi:10.1016/j.ergon.2005.09.002

Cited by 17 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Although numerous studies have proposed workstation modifications to reduce the risk of cumulative trauma disorders in supermarket checkout operators 6,20,21 , no experimental studies have analyzed these propositions. Rodacki et al 6 proposed a modified checkout workstation with a continuous conveyor belt that would position products near the checkout operator's mid-line to attenuate/reduce the postural demand of the task.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Rodacki et al 6 proposed a modified checkout workstation with a continuous conveyor belt that would position products near the checkout operator's mid-line to attenuate/reduce the postural demand of the task. The present study tested whether this particular modification was successful in minimizing postural demands and the risk of injury among supermarket checkout operators.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The procedures used for the kinematic analysis were identical to those described by Rodacki et al 6 . Two calibrated and synchronized cameras sampling at 50 Hz were placed approximately 5 meters behind the workstation and allowed a 3D reconstruction of the trunk movements during the task in each experimental condition (standard and modified models).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The main risk factor associated with the development of cumulative trauma disorders is reported to be the prolonged exposure to repetitive bending/twisting movements at work 3 . Among several cumulative trauma disorders, back problems have been reported as the most frequent symptom among supermarket checkout operators 2,4,5 and may be associated with the large movements performed during the workday 6 and to ergonomic factors such as workstation design 7,8,9 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A recent study performed by our research group 6 analyzed a number of biomechanical variables of the trunk during a simulated task of supermarket checkout operators while handling products of different loads. We reported increased range of movement in the sagittal and frontal planes during handling of heavy products (up to 5 kg), which were accompanied by a large rotation of the trunk.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The effect of different supermarket checkout workstations on trunk kinematics of checkout operators

Rodacki¹,

Vieira²

2010

Rev. bras. fisioter.

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Objectives: This study analyzed the effect of a standard and a modified checkout workstation during a simulated task on trunk postures of a supermarket checkout operator. Methods: Eight participants performed a task involving grasping, scanning and depositing products, while 3D images of the trunk were collected. Results: A number of kinematic changes were observed in trunk posture. A greater anterior flexion (3.0±1.2 o ) and lateral bending during grasping (7.1±1.4 o ) were found in the standard checkout workstation when compared to the modified model (p<0.05). Other variables did not show significant differences (p>0.05). Discussion: The modified checkout workstation provided less lateral bending of the trunk to grasp products (8.1 o ± 2.8; p<0.05), which was considered an advantage with respect to the standard model. Changes in the sagittal and transversal planes were not observed (p>0.05), irrespective of the checkout workstations (p>0.05). The modified checkout workstation successfully reduced risk of injury in some aspects, particularly the problems associated with lateral bending of the trunk. Other studies are required to test whether such potential benefits are obtained on a daily basis. Conclusions: Supermarket checkout operators may be at high risk of occupational injury due to different workstation demands.Modifications to checkout workstation design are an attractive possibility to reduce postural stress and fatigue in checkout operators.Longitudinal studies are required to test whether changes observed in the present study are sustained in the long term.Key words: supermarket checkout operators; supermarket checkout workstation; checkout workstation design; posture. ResumoObjetivos: Analisar o efeito de um modelo padrão e de um modificado de checkout durante uma tarefa simulada de um operador de caixa de supermercado. Métodos: Oito participantes desempenharam uma tarefa envolvendo apanhar, ler e depositar produtos, enquanto imagens 3D do tronco foram coletadas. Resultados: Um número de mudanças cinemáticas foram observadas na postura do tronco. Uma maior flexão anterior (3.0±1.2 o ) e uma inclinação lateral durante o apanhar (7.1±1.4 o ) foram encontradas no checkout padrão quando comparadas ao modelo modificado (p<0.05). Outras variáveis não apresentaram mudanças significativas (p>0.05).Discussão: O checkout modificado causou menor inclinação lateral do tronco para apanhar produtos (8.1 o ± 2.8; p<0.05), o que foi considerado como uma vantagem em relação ao modelo padrão. Mudanças nos planos sagital transverso não foram observadas (p>0.05), independente do modelo do checkout (p>0.05). O modelo modificado se mostrou eficaz paras prover reduções de risco de lesão em alguns aspectos. Especificamente, problemas associados com as inclinações laterais do tronco podem ser reduzidos quando o checkout modificado é empregado. Outros estudos são necessários para testar se tais benefícios potenciais são obtidos em uso de base diária. Conclusões: Operadores de supermercado podem ter elevado risco de le...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The effect of different supermarket checkout workstations on trunk kinematics of checkout operators

Rodacki¹,

Vieira²

2010

Rev. bras. fisioter.

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Musculoskeletal disorders, psychological distress, and work error of supermarket cashiers

Deng

Luan

2019

Hum Ftrs & Erg Mfg Svc

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BackgroundHuman physiological and psychological states may influence work performance. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationships among the musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), psychological distress, and work error of supermarket cashiers. There were 443 Chinese supermarket cashiers surveyed in this study. Among these cashiers, 431 valid samples were obtained. The study surveyed the MSDs, psychological distress of supermarket cashiers with MSDs Likert scale and Symptom Checklist‐90 (SCL‐90) scale, respectively. The data of work error of each cashier was provided by the supermarkets managers. The increasing working years of Chinese supermarket cashiers were connected with increased MSDs. Significant differences were observed in MSDs and work error of cashiers from different supermarkets (different in checkout design). The physiological health and psychological distress of supermarket cashiers are important to work performance and require serious attention. Good checkout counter design with flat conveyor is helpful to reduce cashiers’ MSDs and work error.

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The effect of scanning technology and UPC placement on supermarket self‐checkout

2017

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Self-checking services are offered in many supermarkets. In order to checkout efficiently, customers must locate and scan the Universal Product Code (UPC) of the items with relative ease.Otherwise, their preferences toward using the self-checkout (SCO) stations may be negatively affected. The current literature has no focus on UPC location, and the scanning technology used effect on performance and preferences. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of these from an operational and ergonomic perspective. To that end, 2 UPC placement techniques (current and recommended placement) and 2 scanning technologies (bi-optic and handheld scanners) were tested. The total scanning time, individual items scanning time, trunk posture, total number of wrong twists/flips, individual items wrong flips, muscle activities, and participants' subjective preferences were measured. The results revealed that total scanning time was significantly reduced when using bi-optic scanner (F = 20.9, P < 0.01). The recommended UPC placement led to a significant improvement on UPC anticipation for both scanning technologies (F = 16.8, P < 0.01). Additionally, exposure to non-neutral trunk posture(s) was shown to be significantly decreased in the bi-optic condition (F = 10.4, P < 0.01). Proper UPCs' placement and bi-optic scanner can positively improve the efficiency and experience of the SCO.

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The effect of handling products of different weights on trunk kinematics of supermarket cashiers

Cited by 17 publications

References 21 publications

The effect of different supermarket checkout workstations on trunk kinematics of checkout operators

The effect of different supermarket checkout workstations on trunk kinematics of checkout operators

Musculoskeletal disorders, psychological distress, and work error of supermarket cashiers

The effect of scanning technology and UPC placement on supermarket self‐checkout

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