Saint Louis University

School of Engineering and Architecture

Department of Industrial Engineering

In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements in

Human Factors and Ergonomic Design
(IE 423L)

Group No. 7

Activity No. 6
Cumulative Trauma Disorder
(Ergonomic Risk Assessments)
Baguio New City, Inc.

Submitted by:

Esguerra, Shareena Cashmere B.

Molina, Shennen Grace M.
Opinaldo, Gerwin M.
Pacio, Gerny A.
Tamayo, April Joy C.

Submitted to:

Michelle C. Adiwang, IE, MSME

Date Due: May 18, 2016

Date Submitted: May 18, 2016
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I. Introduction

Improperly designed workstations do pose ergonomic concerns. Ergonomics is the

science of fitting workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of the working
population.

A cumulative trauma disorder, also known as CTD, is defined as the excessive wear and
tear on tendons, muscles and sensitive nerve tissue caused by continuous use over an extended
period of time. CTDs can develop from improper work positioning, repetition or force.

The three main risk factors found in workplaces that can lead to CTDs are (1) awkward
posture and position such as bent wrists, elbows held away from the body, outstretched arms or
slumped shoulders, (2) repetitive action from typing, keying, and sorting operations, and (3) the
use of excessive force when typing.

Musculoskeletal Disorders or MSDs are injuries and disorders that affect the human
body’s movement or musculoskeletal system (i.e. muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, discs,
blood vessels, etc.). We use the term “musculoskeletal disorder” because it accurately describes
the problem.

Other common names for MSDs are “repetitive motion injury”, “repetitive stress injury”,
“overuse injury” and many more. The problem with using that kind of terminology is that it
implicates a singular cause for damage to the musculoskeletal system – repetition and stress.
This is limiting because more and more research is pointing to multiple causative risk factors
leading to MSDs.

The Establishment

Baguio New City, Inc. is a supermarket corporation owned by Jose Sy, et al. that started
in the business industry in 1994. It is located in the Piao Yan building, Bonifacio Street, Baguio
City, Benguet. The corporation offers a variety of products from local products of the country to
imported products from other countries. It is one of the supermarkets in the area that offers the
same products to the others but with cheaper prices and that is why it is not surprising to know
that it is one of the famous supermarkets, especially to students, in the area.
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The said establishment is also the closest supermarket to a university in the area which
makes it convenient to students when they are in need of something while they are at school. The
fact that it is the one that is closest to a university makes the baggage area in the cashier section
quite busy. The bagger is doing the repetitive action of putting the groceries in a plastic bag as
customers come one after another. This poses ergonomic concerns to the baggers of the said
establishment.

II. Statement of the Problem

The repetitive movements of the worker assigned in the baggage counter makes him
prone to Cumulative Trauma Disorder. The researchers had observed that the worker assigned in
the baggage counter is not practicing proper body posture while doing his job.

 How can the researchers improve Baguio New City’s system particularly in the baggage
counter section of the said establishment in such a way that the fatigue encountered by
the worker would be lessened?

III. Objective of the Problem

This study aims to evaluate the ergonomic risk associated with the different body part
positions of the worker and to suggest ways on how to prevent the risks that the worker may
encounter. In addition, the study aims to provide a comfortable and safe workplace to the worker
as well as to make the worker more productive.
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IV. Presentation of Facts

It is shown in figure 1 that the bagger is not

wearing any uniforms and that the counter is a bit high
for him when doing his job.

Figure 1: The bagger while putting a

customer's groceries in a plastic bag

It is observed in figure 2 that the bagger is bending

in an awkward posture when he is checking the
groceries. It is also observed that the bagger is always
standing during his job because there are no chairs
present while the researchers are observing the
operation.

Figure 2: The bagger while checking the

groceries
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Figure 3: The cashier section in the establishment V. Figure 4: Current layout in the baggage section

It is shown in the two images above that the counter is a bit too high for the observed
bagger in the operation. It is also observed that there are no chairs provided by the
management for the bagger.

V.Data Gathering and Results

After conducting several interviews and observations, the researchers were able to fill in
the checklist.

NIOSH Manual Material Handling (MMH) Checklist

YES NO
1. Are the weights of loads to be lifted judged acceptable by the workforce? X
2. Are the materials moved over minimum distances? X
3. Is the distance between the object load and the body minimized? X
4. Are the walking surfaces level:
a. wide enough? X
b. clean and dry? X
5. Are the objects easy to grasp and:
a. stable? X
b. able to be held without slipping? X
6. Are there handholds on these objects? X
7. When required, do gloves fit properly?
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8. Is the proper footwear worn? X

9. Is there enough room to maneuver? X
10. Are mechanical aids used whenever possible? X
11. Are working surfaces adjustable to the best handling heights? X
12. Does material handling avoid:
a. movements below knuckle height and above shoulder height? X
b. static muscle loading? X
c. sudden movements during handling? X
d. twisting at the waist? X
e. extended reaching? X
13. Is help available for heavy or awkward lifts? X
14. Are high rates of repetition avoided by job rotation and:
a. self- pacing? X
b. sufficient pauses? X
15. Are pushing or pulling forces reduced or eliminated? X
16. Does the employee have an unobstructed view of handling the task? X
17. Is there a preventive maintenance program for equipment? X
18. Are workers trained in correct handling and lifting procedures? X
The table shows that there are 15 questions with an answer of no. This obviously
indicates that there is a need for further investigation.

Hazard Evaluation Checklists for Lifting, Carrying, Pushing, or Pulling

RISK FACTORS YES NO

I. General
1.1 Does the load handled exceed 50 lb.? X
1.2 Is the object difficult to bring close to the body because of its size, bulk, or shape? X
1.3 Is the load hard to handle because it lacks handles or cutouts for handles, or does it
have slippery surfaces or sharp edges? X
1.4 Is the footing unsafe? For example, are the floors slippery, inclined, or uneven? X
1.5 Does the task require stressful body postures, such as stooping to the floor, twisting,
reaching overhead, or excessive lateral bending? X
1.7 Are most of the loads handled by only one hand, arm, or shoulder? X
1.8 Does the task require working in extreme temperatures, with noise, vibration, poor
lighting, or airborne contaminants? X
1.9 Does the task require working in a confined area? X

2. Specific
2.1 Does lifting frequency exceed 5 lifts per minute? X
2.2 Does the vertical lifting distance exceed 3 feet? X
2.3 Do carrying last longer than 1 minute? X
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2.4 Do tasks that require large sustained pushing or pulling forces exceed 30seconds
duration? X
2.5 Do extended reach and static holding tasks exceed 1 minute? X

There are five questions which were answered with yes thus; there is a tendency that the
bagger in the cashier’s area may incur a low back problem.

Symptoms Survey Form

Job Name: BAGGAGE HANDLER
______________________________
________ ______________________ _____ Years __2___ Months
Shift: 8:30am-7:30pm Hours worked/week 66 hours
(If more than 2 jobs, include those you worked on the most)
Have you had pain or discomfort during the last year?
[X] Yes [ ] No (if NO, Stop here)

If YES, carefully shade in the area of the drawing which bothers you the MOST.

(Complete a separate page for each area that bothers you)

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Check Area: []Neck [X]Shoulder [X]Elbow/Forearm [X]Hand/Wrist []Fingers

[X]Upper Back [X]Low Back [X]Thigh/Knee [X]Low Leg []Ankle/Foot
1. Please put a check by the word(s) that best describe your problem
[X]Aching [ ]Numbness (asleep) [ ]Tingling
[ ]Burning [X]Pain [X]Weakness
[X]Cramping []Swelling [ ]Other
[ ]Loss of Color [X]Stiffness
2. When did you first notice the problem?____lately______(month) __________(year)
3. How long does each episode last? (Mark an X along the line)
_____/__X___/______/______/______/
1 hour 1 day 1 week 1 month 6 months
5. What do you think caused the problem? Prolonged standing; lifting activities
6. Have you had the problem in the last 7 Days? [X]Yes [ ]No
7. How would you rate this problem? (mark an X on the line)
NOW
None___X_______________________________________________________Unbearable
When it is the WORST
None_____________________________X__________ ____________________Unbearable
8. Have you had medical treatment for this problem? [ ]Yes [x]No
8a. If NO, why not? NO time, no money________________________________________

The symptoms survey clearly shows the parts of the subject’s body that are experiencing
increased levels of discomfort. The researchers will then use the RULA and REBA to further
analyse the subject.

RULA is used to evaluate the exposure of individual workers to ergonomic risk factors
associated with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorder (MSD). The RULA ergonomic tool
considers biomechanical and postural load requirements of job tasks/demands on the neck, trunk
and upper extremities. A single page worksheet is used to evaluate required body posture, force,
and repetition.

REBA is an ergonomic assessment tool which uses a systematic process to evaluate

whole body postural MSD and risks associated with job tasks. A single page worksheet is also
used to evaluate required or selected body posture, forceful exertions, type of movement or
action, repetition, and coupling.
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VI.Conclusion

The researchers conclude that this kind of work which is on the baggage counter involves
so much of the lifting activities. The worker should practice the correct and proper lifting
activities to reduce the pain in the body that he may encounter; like taking breaks and having a
stretch breaks these should be practiced so that the worker could feel less pain in the body.
Employers of the business should also provide help like seminars about proper lifting techniques
in order for their employees to be oriented and be more productive in their work.
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VII.Recommendations

1. Minimize repetitive movements whenever possible to avoid ergonomic injuries.

 Switch tasks and positions to reduce time spent on repetitive motions.
2. Don’t Ignore Symptoms of injuries
 Report it immediately if your arm, neck, shoulder, hand, wrist, or fingers feel:
pain or aching, numbness, tingling, stiffness, burning, swelling, or weakness.
3. Proposed plastic bag holder

FRONT VIEW
ISOMETRIC VIEW

SMALL

MEDIUM EXTRA-LARGE

LARGE

Plastic bag holder

The researchers suggest this kind of alternative to minimize the movement of opening the
plastic bag and to lessen the fatigue of the hands experienced by the worker. It also makes the
workers’ job a little bit faster and easier thus, increasing the productivity of the worker.

Each holder will have the different sizes of the plastic bags (small, medium, large, extra-
large). This will eliminate the idleness of one hand which is holding the other side of the plastic
bag on the original counter’s set-up. With the aid of the holder, two hands will be able to work
faster in placing the groceries in the plastic bag. The horizontal part of the counter in reference to
the front view picture must increase its length in order to achieve the proposed counter.

4. Take regular breaks from repetitive work and rotate tasks.

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5. Stop at least once an hour for a stretch break. Shake out tight muscles and take a few
deep breaths.
6. Involve your health and safety committee in ergonomics or set up an ergonomic
committee to identify commonly experienced cumulative trauma problems and discuss
possible solutions with your employer.
 Seek medical treatment as soon as possible to prevent further and permanent
damage.
7. Your feet can only be as comfortable as the footwear permits. Do wear shoes that do not
change the shape of your foot. Instead, wear shoes that allow your toes to move freely
because shoes with narrow or too shallow may cause much pain and fatigue. In addition,
do not wear flat shoes and does not have arch supports because this may cause flattening
of the foot.
8. Don’t place constant stress on neck or shoulder muscles; overloading causes fatigue
which makes the body more susceptible to injury.
9. Avoid working for long period of time in awkward or uneven postures.
10. Anti-fatigue matting can be used wherever workers have to
stand for long period. Thicker and softer mats may not be the
best as they may increase workers’ leg and back fatigue. Mats
should be easy to clean and have sloped edges so they don’t
become a trip hazard. They should be replaced regularly.

Anti-fatigue mat
Source: OSHA
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VIII.References

Working in a Standing Position Cause Health Problems?. Retrieved April 6, 2016, from
https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/standing/standing_basic.html

Howard, J., & Welsh, L. (2007). Ergonomic Guidelines for Manual Material Handling.
Retrieved March 10, 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/95-119/pdfs/95-119.pdf

Howard, J., & Welsh, L. (2007). Ergonomic Guidelines for Manual Material Handling.
Retrieved May 2, 2016, from http://www.cdc.govniosh/docs/2007-131/pdfs/2007-131.pdf

Middlesworth, M. (2016, December 5). A Step-by-step Guide to Using the NIOSH Lifting
Equation for Single Tasks. Retrieved May 2, 2016, from http://ergo-plus.com/niosh-lifting-
equation-single-task/

Standing symptoms. Retrieved April 6, 2016, from http://www.hazards.org/standing/

Waters, T. R., “Manual Materials Handling”, in: Physical and Biological Hazards of the
Workplace (2nd Ed.). Edited by P. Wald and G. Stave. New York: John and Wiley Sons, 2002.