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3 Ergonomics Tips for Retail Cashiers

3 Ergonomics Tips for Retail Cashiers

Post By: Celeste McLaughlin, Ergonomics Manager
Produced by: Solutions Northwest, Inc. (Ergonomics Experts serving Washington, Oregon, and California)

3 Ergonomics Tips for Retail Cashiers

“ In 2006, approximately 820,500 injuries and 581 fatalities occurred among the 21 million retail workers in the United States” Bureau of Labor Statistics.

You may be surprised to learn how much retail jobs carry the risk of workplace injury. In 2006, retail work had a disproportionate amount of work injures, “approximately 820,500 injuries and 581 fatalities occurred among the 21 million retail workers in the United States” according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

One of the major injury risks for retail workers is musculoskeletal disorders, which includes back pain, sprains, strains, and soreness.

Injury usually occurs when the workspace ergonomics have not been properly assessed to avoid injury.

Whether you are a retail employee or retail manager/owner, it is important to understand how to avoid workplace injury. This blog will provide OSHA approved guidance for retail checkers and cashiers, whom are just as at risk for injuries as stockers or truck unloaders.Ergonomics Consultants | Solutions Northwest Inc.

1. Understand your best work zone

Your best work zone should allow you to work in comfort and avoid injury. OSHA provides an illustration of where the best and preferred work zones are located:

Best Work Zone

2. Ring up items with proper equipment

Investing in the proper equipment will pay off in the long term with less injury and time off for employees.

To begin with, use a powered in-feed conveyor and place it as close as possible to the cashier to avoid having to lean or reach outside of their best work zone. Use a “sweeper” to move items on the conveyor within the checker’s reach. OSHA recommends that you set scanners and conveyers all at the same height, so that items can be easily slid across instead of having to lift each item.

3. Ensure your check stand is ergonomically sound

Keep everything in the right place. For example, locate commonly used items such as the cash drawer, printer, and keyboard within easy reach. Use a platform or install an adjustable check stand to match the height of the cashier’s waist. The cash register display should be slightly below eye level and a front facing check stand is recommended to reduce twisting motions or long reaching.

Rest and comfort options are important at the check stand. Foot rests and anti-fatigue mats are great for a cashier’s feet. Adjust the check stand height to match the cashier’s waist height or use a platform.

An adjustable sit/stand will give employees the option to lean or sit, which provides some lower back relief.

In Conclusion

Over time, the repetitive tasks of retail work can take a toll on your body. If you are an employee, owner, or manager of a retail store, consider contacting an ergonomics consultant for more detailed options.

Hopefully these ergonomics tips can help keep your workplace a safe work place. For more guidance on all work related health and safety issues, visit SolutionsNW.com or Contact Us for more information.

Be sure to subscribe to our blog for more ergonomics tips from Solutions Northwest Inc., ergonomics consultants located in Washington State, Kent, Renton, Northern California, Oregon, Seattle, Olympia, Tacoma, and Portland.

Ergonomics Tips: How to Work in Comfort

Ergonomics Tips: How to Work in Comfort

Post By: Celeste McLaughlin, Ergonomics Manager
Produced by: Solutions Northwest, Inc. (Ergonomics Experts serving Washington, Oregon, and California)

Ergonomics Tips: How to Work in Comfort and Avoid Workplace Injury
Ergonomics Tips: How to work in comfort

“A total of 5,190 workers died from a work-related injury in the U.S. in 2016, the highest annual figure since 2008. The fatal injury rate was 3.6 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers, the highest since 2010.” BLS.gov

Whether you work in an industrial plant or retail store, it is important to understand how to avoid workplace injury. Musculoskeletal injuries such as, tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and bone fractures can be the result of working in awkward positions instead of your best work zone.

In order to avoid injury, it is important to perform the majority of your work tasks in your best work zone.

What is your best work zone?

Your best work zone (sometimes called the “optimal zone,” “comfort zone,” or “hand shake zone”) is the zone (or area) in which you can perform your work task while maintaining a comfortable or neutral posture. Working in this zone is less likely to cause musculoskeletal injury because you won’t be straining in any awkward positions.Ergonomics Consultants | Solutions Northwest Inc.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has created an illustration to show exactly where your preferred and best work zones are:

According to OSHA, “work is safest when lifting and reaching is performed in these zones. Working outside these work zones results in non-neutral postures that may increase the risk of injury. It is particularly important to perform heavy lifting tasks within the best work zone.”

In Conclusion

As you do your daily work, be sure that you are working in this best work zone. You can call it your “handshake zone” as an easy way to remember or print this blog out to be sure you’re working in your best work zone.

Additionally, if you work on a work bench, assembly line, or countertop that is not in your best work zone, then you should consult with your manager or supervisor about installing height-adjustable equipment to prevent workplace injury. You may want to refer your manager to an ergonomics expert for a workplace assessment as well.

Hopefully these ergonomics tips can help keep your workplace a safe work place. For more guidance on all work related health and safety issues, visit SolutionsNW.com or Contact Us for more information.

Be sure to subscribe to our blog for more ergonomics tips from Solutions Northwest Inc., ergonomics consultants located in Washington State, Kent, Renton, Arcadia, Northern California, Oregon, Seattle, Olympia, Tacoma, and Portland.

 

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