Statistics from 2004 show musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are rising. Affected industries need ergonomic solutions like the Uplifter.
MSDs see rise, more work days missed
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) is a term used by the U.S. Department of Labor to describe injury to the body resulting from strain. An MSD is an injury or disorder of the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage, or spinal discs. Many of these disorders are permanent once they occur. Prevention is key to dealing with MSDs.
Recent data shows that In 2004, MSDs accounted for 402,700, or 32 percent, of the injuries and illnesses with days away from work. The retail and wholesale trades, transportation and warehousing and utilities industry sector reported the most cases of MSDs with 131,980 or 32.8 percent of all MSD cases in just 2004 alone.
Laborers, material movers most affected
The three occupations with the most musculoskeletal disorders in 2004 were laborers and material movers (33,590), nursing aides, orderlies and attendants (29,980) and heavy and tractor-trailor truck drivers (17,770). In 2004 the median days away from work saw an increase of 25% in just one year.
Of the occupations with 0.75 percent or more of the total days away from work cases, both heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers and light or delivery truck drivers had the highest median days away from work with 12 days.
Beverage driver-salesworker most at risk occupation
For the soft drink industry, strain or sprain was the principle condition of injury with injury to the back, abdomen and shoulders representing 50% of all injury and illness cases reported according to a report from The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Overexertion for lifting, pulling or pushing heavy objects was the major event responsible for disabling injuries. This accounted for 50% of all soft drink industry cases compared to 33% for all manufacturing.
According to the BLS, beverage driver-salesworker was the leading occupation of the injured worker in the soft drink industry. Injuries to driver-salesworkers were related to manual material handling, such as unloading trucks filled with soda cans and bottles and carting and stacking the containers on customers' premises. The average amount of product delivered per delivery person can range from 150 to 500 cases of soft drink product a day.
Repeated bending tops OSHA's list of "hazardous" tasks
OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, considers the repeated act of bending and lifting during beverage deliveries hazardous to a persons health... specifically by injuring a person's back. They recommend steps be taken to reduce the hazard posed by this activity.
OSHA's Guidelines for the Beverage Industry state, "These lifting tasks pose an increased risk of pain and injury and should be considered hazardous unless appropriate solutions are implemented." The report recommends a hand truck that "has an adjustable load platform or toe plate." -OSHA Gudelines for the Beverage Industry
The "ergonomics" of the Uplifter reduces the primary activity that leads to back injury
The Uplifter Handcart addresses the main cause for injury... bending and lifting. By lifting and lowering loads automatically, it virtually eliminates the need for bending on the part of a delivery worker. The Uplifter Handcart is the product of 5 years of research and development. No other handcart or handtruck on the market can performs this action. The lifting and lowering mechanism and the internal dual safety control system is so advanced it is covered by US patent.
Purchase of the Uplifter, or a fleet of Uplifter Handcarts could well result in tremendous savings for any company by reducing injury claims, insurance rates and missed time from work.
Weight settings can be tailored to customer's industry and typical applications.