ABSTRACT
The material handling and repetitive motion problems presented in the electronics industry case studies that follow could have occurred in any industry. Any time employees are required to lift, pull or push objects, there is an increased risk of overexertion injuries. The NIOSH lifting guidelines examine factors presented in this case study. Pushing and pulling activities tend to be less frequently publicized in the literature, but they are just as much a factor in overexertion injuries as lifting motions. The factors that increase the probability of pushing and pulling related ergonomic hazards are also presented in this case study. What factors associated with these two material handling problems appears to be hazards that could be difficult to be identified? Repetitive motion is much the same as lifting. Performing repetition of motions while keeping the hands in awkward positions increases the risks of repetitive motion injuries.
