Repeatedly bending forward and reaching out away from the body stresses the back even if there is little being lifted because the upper body must be supported. When loads are being lifted, bending over at the waist increases the distance the load is held away from the body and increases the stress placed on the back.

• Automate the movement of product to rework areas so reaching into tubs is not necessary.
• Use a tilter dumper to elevate and tilt so the contents are continually moved forward toward the employee and are maintained at about waist height at all times.
• Use a tub dumper at the workstation to empty contents on the conveyor.

Workers must reach to the shackles to place reworked product for further processing. Reaching creates stress on the arms, shoulders, neck, and back.

• Install height-adjustable stands so employees can properly position themselves.
• Install automatic machines and insure they are working properly.
• Rotate workers to tasks that use different parts of the body or that work at a slower pace.

Workers use a knife to perform some trimming and cleaning functions. Most knives have a straight, in-line design. 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. Minimize finger force and bending of the wrist 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 may use scissors to trim and clean product. Scissors can cause ergonomic stress on the hands and fingers, which results in nerve and tendon damage to the hand and forearm.

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

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.