By employing an engineering anthropometry approach, the supermarket checkstand workstation
design parameters or dimensions were determined for:
(1) optimum work height, (2) normal and maximum
reaches, (3) lateral clearance, and (4) angle of vision
and eye height (steps 3, 4, 5 and 6). The appropriate
data were used subsequently for the design of the
checkstand workstation (Figure I). The superimposition
of the normal and maximum horizontal and vertical
working areas on the supermarket checkstand drawing
facilitated the design of placement of the checkstand
components. This procedure enabled placement of the
components within the normal working area when
possible and, failing that, within the maximum working
area. Several alternative checkstand layout drawings
were considered using a CAD package with human
modeling capability. The use of the CAD package
made the process efficient. In accordance with the
guidelines provided in Table 2, the new work surface
height was lowered to 85 cm for the 5th percentile
(female) cashiers. This surface height was 14 cm below
the corrected elbow height, which would account for
the product height. An adjustable, and padded floor
platform was provided for the cashiers. The platform
height could be lowered by 6 cm at a time to
accommodate taller cashiers. The padding was provided
to reduce foot fatigue from prolonged standing.