Repeatedly bending forward and reaching out away from the body stresses the back even if there is little being lifted because the upper body must be supported. When loads are being lifted, bending over at the waist increases the distance the load is held away from the body and increases the stress placed on the back.

• Automate the movement from the evisceration line to the cone line using conveyors or augers.
• Use a tilter dumper to elevate and tilt so the contents are continually moved forward toward the employee and are maintained at about waist height at all times.
• Use a tub dumper at the workstation to empty contents on the conveyor.

Employees lift multiple birds at one time, usually by the legs. Lifting 2-3 birds in each hand is not uncommon. Birds are cold and slick, and employees usually wear rubber gloves that are also slick and may not fit well. All these factors increase the finger force that must be exerted. Exerting significant finger force can stretch and fray the tendons of the hand and can create a contact trauma to the tendon and sheath where they come in contact with bone or tendon. These types of actions increase the risk of tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Possible Solutions:

• Automate the movement from the evisceration line to the cone line using conveyors or augers.
• Use a tilter dumper to elevate and tilt so the contents are continually moved forward toward the employee and are maintained at about waist height at all times.
• Use a tub dumper at the workstation to empty contents on the conveyor.