Evaluation of the constraints associated with the use of three types of sitting/standing stools by supermarket cashiers

Abstract

Over 20 000 cashiers work at supermarkets in Québec. These workers suffer from musculoskeletal problems in the cervicobrachial region caused by handling food items, and from lower back and leg problems related to the upright posture associated with their work. This project is assessing "standing-sitting" stools in two supermarkets.

The results of a questionnaire indicate that use of these new stools, and of one model in particular, was associated with a lower frequency of reported symptoms. Following the evaluation period, cashiers rated the characteristics of the stools. There was little variation in the amount of time devoted to each of the job's sub-tasks, e.g. operating the cash register, exchanging money, and wrapping, as a function of posture (i.e. standing or half-sitting). Work rhythm also remained constant. Recommendations concerning workstations movements were formulated based on comparative analysis of movements and back extension and flexion.

Overall, the results will lead to further refinements of the "sitting-standing" stool.

Produced Under this Project

Scientific Publications

Essais de trois types de bancs assis-debout chez des caissières de supermarché
Vézina N., Geoffrion L., Courville J., Chatigny C., Lajoie A.
Source :
in Congrès annuel de l'Association canadienne-française pour l'avancement des sciences / ACFAS (61e : 1993 : Rimouski, Canada), s.l., ACFAS, 1993, p. 360
L'insoutenable lourdeur du travail léger
Courville J., Chatigny C., Vézina N., Messing K.
Source :
in Congrès annuel de l'Association canadienne-française pour l'avancement des sciences /ACFAS (62e : 16-20 mai, 1994 : Montréal, Canada), Recueil des résumés de communications : sciences en mouvement : les annales de l'ACFAS, s.l., ACFAS, 1994, p. 456
Standing vs. walking: Can we distinguish them, and is the distinction important?
Messing K., Stock S., Tissot F., Laperrière E., Couture V., Thibeault M.-C., Gnomo S.
Source :
in The 4th International Conference on Work Environment and Cardiovascular Diseases, (4th : March 9-11, 2005 : Newport Beach, U.S.A.), 2005
Standing, sitting and associated working conditions in the Quebec population in 1998
Tissot F., Messing K., Stock S.
Source :
Ergonomics, vol. 48, no 3, 2005, p. 249-269
Validation of questions on working posture among standing workers in Québec
Laperrière E., Couture V., Stock S., Messing K.
Source :
International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, vol. 35, no 4, 2005, p. 371-378
Lower limb pain, standing, sitting and walking: the importance of freedom to adjust one's posture
Messing K., Tissot F., Stock S.
Source :
in Proceedings of the 16th World Congress of the International Ergonomics Association / IEA (16th : July 10-14, 2006 : Maastricht, Netherlands), CD-ROM, Pikaar, R.N., Koningsveld, E.A.P., Settels, P.J.M. (éds), Elsevier, 2006

Additional Information

Type: Project

Number: 0090-1330

Status: Completed

Research Field: OSH and Sustainable Prevention Work Environment

Team:

Nicole Vézina (Université du Québec à Montréal )