"Heave-ho" To Heavy Lifting

Task variables

Load constant: 35 lbs.

Vertical location of hands: 27" at origin, 10" at destination

Horizontal location of hands: 15" at origin, 20" at destination

Vertical travel distance: 17"

Asymmetric angle: 0 degrees

Frequency: Four lifts/shift

Hand-to-object coupling: Poor

Using the appropriate coefficients, the equation determines recommended weight limits of 28 lbs. at origin and 18.1 lbs. at destination for the rolls. Lifting indexes figure in at 1.3 at origin and 1.9 at destination—well above the 1.0 injury risk threshold. Several job modifications could improve ergonomics, such as bringing the load closer to the worker; raising the height of the destination; improving hand-to-object coupling; or, eliminating the manual lifting component of the job.