An operator (cashier, all female, 12 = 24) survey was
conducted in three superstores, through questionnaires
to determine the effect of (1) environmental (noise,
temperature, light and workspace) factors, (2) general
fatigue (physical, mental and visual) induced by the
task, (3) physical demand of tasks (scanning and
bagging, bin handling, keyboard and cash box operations
and standing posture), and (4) the postural
discomfort of the operators during the course of a
regular working day (step 2).The objective of the
survey was to document and analyze the general
worker ratings which would subsequently form the
basis of setting priorities -in the design modification.
The details of the survey and the analysis of the data
will be presented elsewhere. The salient findings from
the survey were: (1) one store had rated the temperature
as unacceptable, (2) the product bin handling task and
prolonged standing posture were perceived to be the
most strenuous of all tasks, and (3) the mean postural
discomfort rating was found to be increasing as the time
on the work shift increased. Significantly high postural
discomfort ratings were found in the lower back, back,
neck, ankle and foot and knee and leg regions. The
mean discomfort levels were highest in the lower back
(2.4) and neck (1.5) regions on a seven-point rating
scale.