Niosh Lifting Equation for Assessing Manual Material Handling Technique in a Warehouse Company

Abstract

Every warehouse company must protect their employees from possible health risks especially the loaders or carriers to avoid work related musculoskeletal disorders. This research aimed to determine the factors that affect the safety of carriers or loaders inside a certain warehouse. Proper lifting techniques were studied to provide safer methods compared to current worker’s execution or method. The primary data were obtained from the respondents through observations, interviews, and survey questionnaires such as Nordic Questionnaire. Time and motion study was used to determine how safety affects the time of each worker in finishing the job. To assess safety, NIOSH lifting equation is used, an ergonomic tool that equates to the required weight limit and lifting index of the loaders or carriers that execute manual material handling. The results of the study showed that all the respondents had high lifting index based on the pre-assessment test of NIOSH lifting equation which means that they are at high risk. After implementation of proper lifting techniques, post-assessment test showed that the respondents had yielded lower lifting index. The findings revealed that aging and length of stay in the warehouse are factors highly affecting workers’ capacity of lifting and safety. Older workers are more at risk than younger ones when it comes to physical activities. The longer the exposure in lifting and carrying, the more risks it is for the body. A safety procedure guideline was developed and recommended to the company to avoid health issues or musculoskeletal disorders among loaders and carriers inside the warehouse.