1. Grocery Store Checkstands
Ergonomics Design Guidelines to prevent WMSDs

2. Credits
The technical contents of this slide show are mainly based upon the publication “Guidelines for Retail Grocery Stores” OSHA publication N 2004.
You may click here to download a copy of this publication

3. What you will learn in this slideshow:
WMSDs hazardous exposures
when checking out groceries
How to identify grocery store check stand design problems using a specific checklist
Ergonomics guidelines for the design of a check stand
The neutral posture at a check stand
Best body zones in which to work
Sit or stand at a check stand?

4. Problems at grocery checkout
Lifting heavy packages, bags, etc.
Repetitive movements of the neck, shoulder, arms, hands.
Awkward and static postures like standing without walking, back bending, squatting, etc.
Forceful Gripping

5. WMSD hazardous exposures
Lifting above the shoulders, below the knees or at arms length

6. WMSD hazardous exposures
Repetitive motions with the neck, shoulder and arm

7. WMSD hazardous exposures
Neck and back bending

8. WMSD hazardous exposures
Forceful gripping; specially when handling heavy items as pet-food bags, 24 packs of sodas.

9. The Checklist
This checklist developed by OSHA, provides a practical guide for the evaluation of a check stand design
Click on this image to download a copy

10. Cashiering checklist Are items within easy reach?
Are keyboards adjustable?
Can the cashier work with items at about elbow height?

11. Cashiering checklist Can the display be read without twisting?
Are all edges rounded so the cashier does not come into contact with sharp edges?

12. Cashiering checklist Are objects easily scanned for the first time?
Are objects scanned without twisting hand motions?
Can cashiers scan heavy/bulky/awkward items without lifting them?

13. Cashiering checklist
Are the scale, conveyor, and horizontal scanner plates all at the same height?
Is the scanner plate clean and unscratched?

14. Cashiering checklist
Does the cashier have an anti-fatigue mat and/or foot rest?
Can the cashier recline or semi-seat on any surface of the checkstand?

15. Bagging and carry out checklist
Can the bagger adjust the height of the bag stand?
Are all edges rounded so that the bagger does not come into contact with sharp or hard edges?

16. Bagging and carry out checklist
Do bags have handles?

17. Bagging and carry out checklist
Can the bagger put bags into carts without leaning over the check stand or twisting the back?

18. Neutral posture at a check stand

19. Sit or stand at a check stand?
“the ideal ergonomic solution would be to offer the cashier the possibility of changing between sitting and standing[…] as a means of reducing foot, leg and lower back pain.”
(Lannersten & Harms-Ringdhal, 1990; Wells, 1993)

20. Basic elements of a check stand design
display
cash drawer
scanner
produce scales
Bagging platform
Feeder belt
key-pad

21. Design guidelines
The following section provides you with the design guidelines to an easy-to-use, safer checkstand.
The more guidelines you can implement at your store, the better for your employees and business.

22. Design guideline
Use a powered in-feed conveyor to bring items to the cashiers best work zone.
Use a “sweeper” to move items on the conveyor within the checker’s reach.
These practices may reduce leaning and reaching.

23. Design guideline
Locate commonly used items such as the cash drawer and the printer within easy horizontal reach.

24. Design guideline
Place in-feed and take-away conveyor belts as close as possible to the cashier to minimize reaching.

25. Design guideline
Consider using checkstands designed with an adjustable sit/stand or lumbar support against which cashier can lean.

26. Design guideline
Remove, round-off or pad sharp or hard edges with which the cashier may come into contact.

27. Design guideline
Provide adequate toe space (at least 4 inches) at the bottom of the workstation. Toe space allows cashiers to move closer to the checkstand, reducing reaching postures.

28. Design guideline
Use footrests and anti-fatigue mats in areas where workers stand for long periods. Standing on anti-fatigue mats, as compared to bare floors provides a noticeable improvement in comfort.

29. Design guideline
Place the conveyor belt electronic eye close to the scanner, but allow sufficient area between the eye and the scanner to orient items and to ensure the belt does not push items into the scanning window.

30. Design guideline Perform work within the preferred (green) work zone
Preferred work zone
Perform work within the preferred (green) work zone

31. Design guideline
Consider using keyboards to enter the quantity of identical products rather than scanning each individual item.

32. Design guideline
Use keyboard to enter code if item fails to scan after second attempt.

33. Design guideline
Place keyboards on supports that adjust in height, horizontal distance and tilt to keep work within the preferred zone.

34. Design guideline
Use front facing checkstands to reduce twisting motions and extended reaches to the side.

35. Design guideline
Adjust the checkstand height to match the cashier’s waist height, or use a platform.

36. Design guideline
Place the cash register displays at or slightly below eye level.

37. Design guideline
Use scan cards or scan guns for large or bulky items to eliminate the need to handle them.

38. Design guideline
Set scanners and conveyors at the same height so that cashiers can slide items across rather than lift them.

39. Design guideline
Establish a regular maintenance schedule for scanners; clean dirty plates and replace scratched ones.

40. Design guideline
Use combined scales/scanners.

41. Design guideline
Provide an adjustable-height bag stand. In bagging areas, the tops of plastic bags should be just below the conveyor height.

42. Design guideline
To avoid extended reaches when loading bags into carts, move carts closer to the employee.

43. Design guideline
Use bags with handles. Handles make the bags easier and less stressful to carry.

44. Design guideline
Use carts to carry bags and groceries outside the store.

45. Design guideline
Consider using powered-tugs when retrieving carts from the parking area. Powered tugs facilitate moving more carts with more efficiency and less effort.

46. Forearm and wrist injuries Nerve damage
If none or few ergonomic guidelines are implemented, checkstand employees may suffer from…
Back strains/sprains
Shoulder injuries
Elbow injuries
Forearm and wrist injuries
Nerve damage

47. The Ergonomics Cycle
Management Support
Problem Identification
Solution Identification
Training
Evaluate Progress
Employee Involvement
The ergonomics cycle provides you with an organized way to start your ergonomics effort at a store.

48. Resources OSHA Guidelines for Retail Grocery Stores
David Beardmore (1998) "The Identification & Control of Musculoskeletal Risks To Supermarket Checkout Workers“
Grocery Stand Design
Ideas to reduce hazardous exposures can be found at the Ergonomics Ideas Bank
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49. Thank you