ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on ergonomics, that is, on job design. Carrying recommendations are given for both distance and local movement. Ergonomic variables include object, weight, ease of handling, initial and final height of object moved, angle of rotation, lift symmetry, clothing, and thermal environment. Manual handling (MH) is a major safety problem. The problem of MH is demonstrated by some example statistics. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) guidelines and the MH Guide follow the approach of recommending maximum weights for specific situations. The chapter describes a different approach and provides design guidelines without any specific numerical recommendations. After explaining NIOSH guidelines, principles of manual handling are discussed. If you can't make the job perfect, make it better. Various groups have given recommendations for the amount a person can push, pull, carry, and lift. Their criteria are grouped into three categories: biomechanical, physiological, and psychophysical.
