Module 2
Hazardous Manual Tasks
The characteristics that turn an ordinary task into a hazardous one.
7 minute read
A manual task becomes hazardous when it involves repetitive or sustained force, awkward postures, high or sudden force, or vibration. Most warehouse injuries come from a build-up of these factors over time.
- Repetitive movement — the same pick motion all shift
- Sustained posture — holding a bend or reach for long periods
- High force — dragging a stuck pallet or shifting a jammed cage
- Sudden force — catching a falling carton
- Vibration — long periods on a ride-on or hand tools
Warehouse scenario
The bottom-shelf pick face
A picker spends two hours bent forward pulling cartons from the lowest racking level. Nothing weighs more than 8 kg, but by the end of the shift their lower back is aching.
Takeaway: Sustained awkward posture plus repetition is a hazardous manual task even with light loads. Raising the pick face or rotating tasks reduces the risk.
Knowledge check
Which factor makes a light carton pick hazardous?