Delivery drivers are a very important part of everyone’s lives. When was the last time you had a package delivered, your yard serviced, or purchased something from a store? Goods are moved all over the world every day. Along with these jobs come a lot of manual material handling (MMH) and other workplace risks. Here are some suggestions for improving ergonomics for delivery and distribution workers.
- Store products in the “comfort zone” – between 24″ and 62″ above the standing surface
- Keep products close – within 16″ from the employee
- Install a hand-hold for getting in and out of a cab
- Provide maintenance on bay doors to reduce pulling forces
- When possible, use a dolly to transport material instead of carrying material
- Provide a curb ramp if loads must be pulled up and down curbs
Also, consider the hazards present when driving:
- Provide a vibration-dampening seat
- Eliminate distractions, such as talking and texting on the phone
- Vary position every 20 – 30 minutes to promote blood flow
These are all potential solutions that come at a relatively low cost and are easy to implement. To learn more about this topic, check out our upcoming web course on Ergonomics for Manual Material Handling.