Eyes on Ergonomics

Hence, ergonomics is important in reducing the number of on-the-job injuries related to tasks like lifting heavy objects—such as a shaft used in package printing.

"We have seen a large number of companies adopting ergonomics lifting limits that depend on a variety of factors such as the frequency, duration, and type of lifting, as well as individual variables such as age, sex, body type, size, etc.," said Courtney Donaldson, Goldenrod Corp. director of marketing. "The most common guideline we hear is that one operator should not be lifting more than 50 lbs., but this seems to be an informal limit. Some customers just want the shaft to be a certain percentage lighter than what they presently use and are trying to meet a certain level in order to justify the cost of a new lightweight shaft (i.e. if it's only 10 percent lighter, is it worth the expense?)."