Stuffing and stripping containers exerts a physical toll. Complaints can lead to health injuries and illness. Overexertion can be caused by lifting, pushing, pulling, performing repetitive movements and assuming bad posture. The latter often arises because working environments have been set up poorly or cannot be set up properly.
Risks Associated with Stuffing and Stripping
Containers are often
stuffed and stripped at distribution centres and recipients' premises in the wholesale and retail sector. In general, working conditions are far from ideal for employees who have to stoop to lift and stack heavy boxes in containers, or lift loads for extended periods – frequently above head height. To prevent or limit physical overexertion caused by lifting, use can be made of
slipsheets,
ROLLERFORKS® and mini forklifts that can be manoeuvred into containers, or specially designed lifting devices that can be moved around inside containers. Other examples include tipping the container to unload sacks.
Physical Burden Limitation
If there is no suitable technical solution available, then organizational measures need be taken, e.g. task rotation in order to limit the physical burden placed on any one individual. Information and instructions about preventing and limiting physical overexertion are extremely important.
Source: Dutch Ministry of General Affairs 
