Evaluating biomechanical risks in manual material handling: an ergonomic intervention approach

Manual waste handling, common in many underdeveloped regions, often exposes workers to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) during material tasks. A study involving 92 workers highlighted the risks associated with the waste scraping and picking tasks, focusing on lower back, knee and neck joints. The study aimed to create improved equipment through iterative design. Three-enhanced cleaning equipment versions emerged, hypothesised to boost worker well-being. Comparative ergonomic assessments revealed significant improvements: 67% lower postural scores, up to 58% reduced spinal forces and a 4% drop-in average working heart rate (HR). Pain frequency decreased by 16.67%, severity by 14.29% and productivity doubled, supported by strong Likert chart acceptability. This study underscores ergonomic interventions' potential in reducing risks linked to traditional cleaning practices.