ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines selected manual material handling activities and suggests a course of analysis to rapidly identify ergonomic issues and direct possible solutions. It presents a selection of analysis tools and related case studies and focuses on two broad categories of activities that nearly all soldiers experience: "lift-and-carry" and "push/pull." In the practice of human systems integration (HSI) within the US Army's acquisition community, the need to analyze manual material handling practices is frequently encountered. Proper ergonomic design is critical to minimize musculoskeletal injury risk, reduce fatigue, reduce required manpower, remove task specific personnel restrictions, and ensure maximum user–system compatibility. Manual material handling (MMH) is the use of human energy to perform physical tasks that may consist of lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, and holding activities. M. S. Sanders and E. J. McCormick identify six categories of MMH risk factors: forceful exertions, awkward work posture, repetitive motions, sustained exertions, localized contact stresses, and whole body or segmental vibrations.
