ABSTRACT
The reduction of time losses and non-value-adding operations is often achieved by splitting up the work into simple, standardized work tasks. However this can result in fewer opportunities for variation and recovery. It is generally believed that variation in biomechanical exposure is beneficial to musculoskeletal health and well-being (Wells, 2007), though empirical evidence for this assumption is low (Mathiassen, 2006). Visser (2006) showed, that without sufficient recreation periods, muscles can be damaged. In a laboratory study, Sundelin (1993) found out, that short breaks reduce muscle fatigue, even if the total amount of work remains constant. Further studies show that the introduction of repetitive, short cycled work can lead to an increase of musculoskeletal disorders (Fredriksson, 2001; Moreau, 2003). In the present paper the workers body posture at an order-picking workplace was analysed. It is examined whether the elimination of non-value-adding operations leads to a more one-sided workload. Socio-technical aspects (as defined by Cherns, 1987) are not within scope of the study.
