A field survey examined the problems caused by manual sorting and packing of bricks. 139 packers from 12 plants completed the Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire. Heart rates were recorded over a shift for 45 workers, and their postures were videoed. Rates of musculoskeletal trouble were found to be very high, particularly in the wrists I hands and low back and were higher in completely manual systems/hand packing') than in semi-mechanised systems ('monorails'). Hand packing produced higher heart rates and required more bending and twisting. Where the task cannot be mechanised action should be taken to reduce the risks.
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