There are several operations where this work orientation is used. The conveyor used at the plane does not have a sufficiently steep angle so suitcases can be placed on it without utilizing abducted arm positions. The lack of angle produces an effective loading height of about 32 inches which is too high when handling suitcases in the normal manner. Loading a suitcase which has a handle drops the ideal loading height down to about 18 inches since the bottom of the suitcase is generally at least 12 to 24 inches below the hand. To place the suitcase on the observed conveyor the employee must lift the load up to at least shoulder height using primarily shoulder force.
Luggage often has to be positioned on the carts based on the destination of the flight.
This sometimes requires that heavy suitcases are loaded onto the top shelf since the horizontal shelf becomes a defacto divid er. This forces employees to lift the load up to or above shoulder height so it can be placed on the upper shelf which is located about 50 inches above the ground. Lifting luggage up to the plane's storage compartments without the aid of a conveyor uses the same motions described in the previous two paragraphs and again is a stressful motion and position for the shoulder. Lifting a suitcase which can weigh up to 50 pounds, with the elbow raised nearly to shoulder height using primarily one arm places a severe strain on the shoulder and increases the risk of development of injuries such as bursitis, tendinitis, and rotator cuff injuries. Develop a steeper conveyor system or an add-on to the current conveyor such that packages which are handled with two hands, such as boxes with no handles, can still be laid on the conveyor at approximately the current height, but loads such as suitcases can be placed on the conveyor at lower height without the need for lifting with elevated elbow postures.