Employees scan up to 2100 packages per hour, with most packages aligned such that the elbow must be raised to shoulder height and the wrist severely deviated. These ergonomic stressors are likely to cause Musculoskeletal Disorders of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand. Reorient the majority of the packages placed on the conveyor such that the labels are facing towards the employee performing the scanning operation. The label must be in a vertical orientation for a pistol grip scanner to be used safely. Employees are exposed to the ergonomic stressors of repeated abduction of the elbow away from the body to so they can fully tilt the scanner for an accurate reading.
Taller boxes require more deviation of the wrist to properly position the scanner.
Since the wrist can bend only so far, the elbow must be raised away from the torso to accurately position the scanner. Prolonged abduction of the elbow statically loads the musculoskeletal system of the shoulder, upper arm, and upper back which reduces nutrient flow to the area. Reduced nutrient flow slows muscle recovery, limits duration of activity, and makes the muscle, tendon, ligament system more susceptible to acute injury. In addition, repeatedly abducting the arm, even while lifting little weight, can lead to chronic wear and tear, and thickening of the unsheathed tendons and bursa of the shoulder. This is an especially important aspect in this operation where up to 2100 packages are scanned each hour.