ABSTRACT
In the context of MMH, a variety of approaches have been used to quantify the relationships between imposed stresses and the resulting strain and, thereby, control the pervasive overexertion injury and back problem. The epidemiological approach investigates the circumstances and conditions that exist during an incident and attempts to develop a set of general conditions that may be associated with the hazards of MMH activities. The various biomechanical models available in the published literature differ primarily in two ways: the number of links and the analysis technique. The psychophysical approach to MMH job design requires individuals to adjust either the handling frequency, the weight of the load or the force exerted on the object being handled according to their perception of physical strain. The underlying assumption was that a combination of the acceptability of biomechanical and physiological stresses leads to an overall measure of lifting task acceptability as expressed by the psychophysical stress.
