Often times this is the most hazardous lift for employees. Heavy objects should be stored at optimum lifting level. Pallet raising devices can be utilized to keep loads in the optimum lifting positions as pallets are emptied. Employees stack fork-lift pallets very high necessitating high lifting and extension with loads. Develop a procedure where more pallets are utilized and stacked lower to prevent excessive reaches.
Employees appear to have no knowledge of proper lifting techniques.
Employees should be instructed in the basics of body biomechanics to minimize musculoskeletal hazards associated with their jobs. This should include, but not be limited to, an appreciation of load movements about the spine and tendon forces resulting from different grips and postures. The selector performs unloading of shelves and stacking on fork lifts pallets continuously throughout the day. Reaching for, walking with, twisting with, and reaching with various weighted objects are done constantly with little rest. In analyzing these operations it was noted that the employee performs these tasks with little or no attention to proper lifting techniques.