Employees repeatedly reach across a conveyor or work table to obtain product for processing. Repetitive reaching stresses the shoulder and upper back and may require bending at the waist, which can stress the lower back.

• Use diverter bars to push product closer to employee.
• Reduce width of table so product is presented closer to employee.
• Position work fixtures so all activities of the task can be performed with the elbows in close to the torso.
• Tilt work surface so product slides to employee.

Employees use in-line, straight knives to clean and trim. Using this type of knife on a horizontal cutting surface forces the employees to bend their wrists to perform the cut. Bending the wrist while exerting finger force is stressful to the tendons and muscles of the hand and forearm. Factors such as poorly fitting gloves, slick handles, inappropriately sized handles, or dull knives increase the force that must be used. Finger force and bending of the wrist should be minimized when performing cutting tasks.

• Keep knives sharp and in good condition.
• Remove damaged knives from service.
• Use knives appropriate for the task.
• Provide properly sized gloves.

Workers often use manual scissors that can cause ergonomic stress on the arms, hands, and fingers. Repeated opening of the jaws can irritate and inflame the tendons and sheaths of the hand. This is especially a problem if employees are positioned either too high or low in relation to the bird, such that the wrist is bent while finger force is exerted. The tendon and sheath can experience contact damage as they are pulled across the bones and ligaments of the wrist. Contact between the loop handles of the scissors and the sides of the fingers can damage nerves and blood vessels.

• Provide workers with pneumatic scissors.
• Rotate worker tasks between workers/employees using different motions or tools.
• Provide workers with spring activated scissors.

Standing for a long time reduces blood flow to the legs, forces isolated muscles to work for an extended time, and increases risk of fatigue and varicose veins.

• Install sit/stand stools, which allow employees to lean and have their weight supported while still remaining in an upright posture.
• Rotate employees to tasks that do not require prolonged standing.
• Provide shoe insoles that cushion the feet and spread foot pressure over a larger surface.
• Provide a foot rest in front of employees so they can shift their posture.