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Drivers deliver single five and three gallon bottles of water, cases of bottled water, and other products to residential and commercial customers.
Bottles are stored on racks in the truck ranging in height from 30 to 80 inches (from road level to the neck of the bottle). The necks of the bottles on the top rack are approximately 80 inches from road level, which is well above the 60.5 inch average shoulder height of a large North American male. Men or women of shorter stature may not even be able to reach this level. Reaching and lifting above shoulder level increases the load on the shoulder muscles thus increasing shoulder fatigue, thus increasing the likelihood for injury. Reaching above shoulder height also increases the risk that the bottle may fall and strike the employee, as the employee may not have full control over the weight of the bottle.
The bottles are often grasped and carried by the short neck of the bottle, approximately three inches long. This length does not allow use of the stronger power grip. Thus, a pinch grip is used to pull the bottles from the racks. The inability to use the stronger power grip reduces the grip strength available for pulling. Carrying the bottles by the neck puts the wrist in extreme ulnar deviation. This increases the chance of the bottle slipping and puts the employee at high risk of wrist and arm injury. Bottles are frequently carried on the shoulder, increasing the chance of shoulder injuries. Controls to consider include:
OSHA water beverage delivery eTool.
Revised: 04/2017