Ergonomics Hazards and Control Measures in a Supermarket

This document discusses the hazards of ergonomics in a supermarket and how to control them. It identifies hazards such as force, awkward postures, contact stress, and repetition, and analyzes each hazard for controlling them. It also discusses workplace and human factors that attribute to ergonomics hazards and how to defend control measures against the psychology of human behavior. The document justifies the implementation of an ergonomics program and provides recommendations for anti-fatigue mats, conveyor belts, and other measures to decrease the chance of injuries.

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Ergonomics
Ergonomics
Author name
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Ergonomics
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Main Context..............................................................................................................................2
Identification of the hazards...................................................................................................2
Analysing each hazard for controlling them..........................................................................2
Workplace and human factors attribute to the ergonomics hazard........................................2
Defending the control measures against the psychology of human behaviour......................3
The justification for the implementation of an ergonomics program.....................................3
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................3
References..................................................................................................................................4
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Ergonomics
Ergonomics is referred to the process of arranging or designing products, systems and
workplace so that that people can use them in an appropriate manner. The health and safety
of the employees are considered to be very important for an organization. Ergonomics
program can be implemented for providing safety to the employees within an organization.
The program will be implemented in a supermarket for providing protection to the grocery
store clerk (Ananthan, Appannaiah & Reddy, 2010).
Identification of the hazards
The ergonomics hazards that can impose a significant impact on the grocery store
clerk are a force, awkward postures, contact stress and repetition. Force consists of physical
strains such as pulling, pushing, using equipment and heavy lifting. Repetition is the
continual performance of the same motions series such as typing on the cash register. The
awkward postures mean body feel stress due to reaching high, leaning over the counter and
squatting low. Contact stress is pressing the body against sharp or hard edges (Griffin, Ebert,
Starke, Dracopoulos & Lang, 2014).
Analysing each hazard for controlling them
Anti-fatigue mats can be used for decreasing muscle soreness, back stress, fatigue and
leg stress for the clerks. The use of neutral and ergonomic working postures can decrease the
chance of injuries. The use of anti-fatigue mats can decrease leg and back exhaustion and
promotes comfort. It is also important for the employees to learn how to adjust the natural
posture of their body in an appropriate manner. The grocery clerks should always try to keep
their back straight and not bending, twisting or leaning. The ergonomics backrest while
working in the chair can be used to alleviate stress and strains. The hands should be
repositioned by keeping them in line with the forearms and straight. The focus should be on
neck and head in order to ensure that they bend or twist (Ivancevich & Konopaske, 2013).
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Ergonomics
Workplace and human factors attribute to the ergonomics hazard
Training is considered to be very much important for the employees and employers in
order to carry the process in a safe manner. The lack of adequate knowledge of the tasks,
understanding of the tools and equipment, ability to recognize early indications, benefits of
addressing the early indications and awareness of the procedures of the grocery stores then it
can lead to hazardous consequences. The lack of adequate tools and equipment within the
workplace can also create problems for the employees. If the grocery clerks do not get
favourable working conditions in terms of temperature, machines, equipment and reporting
process then they can face ergonomics hazards (Ōno, 2009).
Defending the control measures against the psychology of human behaviour
The implementation of the control measures within the ergonomic program can assist
the grocery clerk to avoid any kind of hazards. However, the psychological behaviour of the
human can create a barrier in implementing such measures. The employees and employers
sometimes believe that they have done the things in the same manner and nothing will
happen to them and follow the steps that are easier to them. It is important for the
management of the organization to direct them in an appropriate manner about the occurrence
and consequences of the ergonomics hazards (Robbins & Coulter, 2018).
The justification for the implementation of an ergonomics program
The implementation of the ergonomic program within the stores of the organization is
very much important which explains changes to work practices, procedures and equipment.
The program will address the ergonomic hazards, decrease employee turnover and control
costs. The changes can increase the efficiency and productivity of the employees because it
will decrease heavy manual work and remove unnecessary movements. The organization can
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Ergonomics
use administrative and engineering methods in order to deal with the ergonomic problems in
the stores. Anti-fatigue matting should be provided to the cashiers for decreasing muscle pain
and soreness. The conveyor belts can be used for avoiding leaning and twisting. Removing or
covering hard edges on machinery and cashier station can decrease musculoskeletal
disorders. The stocking areas consist of hazards such as leaking liquids, heavy boxes and
many more. The improvements in the process can decrease the chance of injuries. The
pushcarts can avoid carrying heavier items and results in strain. The rotating of the tasks can
avoid the clerks from squatting, kneeling and reaching too high. The surface should be dry
and clean for decreasing the chance of fall and slip.
The ergonomic program should be implemented by the organization in order to ensure
safety for the clerks. The employees are considered to be significant assets for the
organizations. Thus, the management should provide protection to the employees.
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Ergonomics
References
Ananthan, B., Appannaiah, H., & Reddy, P. (2010). Business management (3rd ed.). Mumbai
[India]: Himalaya Pub. House.
Griffin, R., Ebert, R., Starke, F., Dracopoulos, G., & Lang, M. (2014). Business (2nd ed.).
Toronto: Pearson Canada.
Ivancevich, J., & Konopaske, R. (2013). Human resource management (4th ed.). New York:
McGraw-Hill.Ō
no, T. (2009). Workplace management (4th ed.). Mukilteo: Gemba Press.
Robbins, S., & Coulter, M. (2018). Management (4th ed.). Harlow, United Kingdom: Pearson
Education Limited.
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