Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. 2021-0005-3426: Ergonomic and Musculoskeletal Evaluation of an Aircraft Distribution Center

Details

• Personal Author:
  Ramsey, Jessica G.
• Description:
  Management and union representatives at an aircraft distribution center requested a health hazard evaluation. They were concerned about ergonomic risk factors and potential musculoskeletal injuries among employees who performed material handling duties. We visited the facility to evaluate ergonomic hazards and musculoskeletal health symptoms of employees. During our site visit, we (1) observed work processes, practices, and workplace conditions, (2) measured workstation heights and reach distances, and (3) reviewed injury and illness records. We found that most workstations and areas were not ergonomically designed to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Most workstations were static and did not adjust and lacked antifatigue mats and adjustable chairs or stools. Tools were not ergonomically designed. The most common injuries and illnesses reported involved sprains, strains, and tears. We made recommendations to help reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, which included guidelines on proper reach distances, adjustable workstations, adjustable hand working heights, and providing antifatigue mats for employees who usually stand as a part of their job. We also recommended using employee input to guide efforts in improving worker safety, health, and well-being, and encouraging employees to report health concerns they think are work-related to their supervisors.
• Subjects:
  Ergonomics Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Aeronautical Equipment And Supplies Merchant Wholesalers; Logistics; Lifting; Musculoskeletal Disorders; MSDs Region 4; Musculoskeletal Disorders; MSD; Ergonomics; Lifting; Work Areas; Repetitive Work; Aircraft Parts And Auxiliary Equipment; Materials Handling;
• Series:
  Health Hazard Evaluation Reports (HHE)
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Field Study ; Report
• Place as Subject:
  Kentucky ; Ohio ; Chicago Region [OSHA] ; Birmingham Region [OSHA]
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DFSE - Division of Field Studies and Engineering
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  18 pdf pages
• Contributor:
  Watts, Shawna ; Charles, Melissa ; Booher, Donald E. ; Moore, Kevin D.
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20071010
• Citation:
  Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, HHE 2021-0005-3426, 2025 Aug; :1-18
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2025
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• NAICS and SIC Codes:
  423860 - Transportation Equipment and Supplies (except Motor Vehicle) Merchant Wholesalers - (NAICS)
• Source Full Name:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:6c187ca4ebfd7f5900880ed6bf159f9114f00bd0f8917bb500551cb0c6830e7c7baf7b6771ded7643f411459c98110685e16d2a22d7cff9760e5a93d271b486f
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/257789/cdc_257789_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 495.00 KB ]