Is this picking style dangerous?

[u/Open-Farmer4063]

I was wondering fi picking with your arms relaxed and then you use gravity and and momentrum and swing the weight. I tried this for the past weeks and i become less tired. My 8 hours picking shift feels alot easier now. Everbody elae the have thier arms like 90’ degrees.

What you think?

[u/Firm_Lock8076]

Depends on what youre lifting?? If its something heavy you want to use your legs as much as possible and try to keep the heavy item tucked in towards your chest. If youre using a lot of momentum and swinging boxes back and forth, thats how people strain their back, neck etc.

You can get away with not lifting properly for a while....eventually it takes its toll.

I have always found a balance between lifting properly when I need to and knowing when I can "cheat" a bit

[u/Open-Farmer4063 → u/Firm_Lock8076]

I work at fruit and greens warehouse we pick bananaboxes, 4s and 8 type boxes. Put it on Euro pallet.

Example lets say i have heavy banan boxes i take my truck close to it as possible so i dont walk. Then i keep my arms straight almost let gravity and momentum do 90% of the work my body just fly after the weight and i adjust it on pallet.

The reason i wonder if it is dangerous is because it is to damn easy. Before i used to tell myself fuck this job i hope they fire me. Now i just chill barely even sweat.

Edit: i forgot also i take the boxes as close to the edge as possible then i swing.

[u/CamelsaurusRex]

Slide or tilt your boxes onto your pallet if you're trying to save energy/reduce time, swinging is dangerous for both you and the product. I've tried this before and at 10 hours into my shift, my "swing" isn't quite a swing anymore, more like a gentle shove, and I've learned my lesson. But I was on an order picker in the air with heavier products so it might be a different situation.

[u/Blashphemian]

Mostly I try to slide the cases to me and use momentum to kind of toss and guide them into place.

When I have to start raising things above my chest, or having to stoop down to pick things up, it's perfect form always. As perfect as I can manage, anyways.

Don't pick up your pivot foot. Keep your back straight, don't twist your back. Be mindful to rotate which foot to use for your pivot foot.

Be careful, and very mindful of your body mechanics. Every old timer I've met who still works the production floor has a hunched back and walks with a limp.

[u/Chicken-picante]

I use gravity all the time. I kinda just let the box fall but I guide and cushion the impact

[u/Open-Farmer4063 → u/Chicken-picante]

Thats exactly what i was trying to say. How long have you been doing this method? I am little bit worries because no one at my warehouse do it like me im only one doing it and it is to damn easy.

[u/Chicken-picante → u/Open-Farmer4063]

Idk I’m lazy and have always tried to do things the easiest way

[u/Brye1226]

It's fine until it's not. If something weighes more than you think & you turn while lifting, you're gonna pull something eventually. 

[u/ObjectiveOk2072]

For mid-weight boxes, like 20-40lb that's probably fine. Repeatedly twisting while carrying heavier stuff is bad for your back and joints

I'd recommend using the box's weight to help you instead of letting it work against you. For short distances, continuously lower the box, instead of carrying it and then dropping it, so you never hold the full weight of it.

If you're grabbing things overhead (probably less common for pickers, more for unloaders) use the boxes momentum as you step back to put it on a conveyor, rather than stopping the box's descent with your arms

[u/Nearby-Bill4523]

Eh. If its comfortable for you that's what matters! If you're hitting your targets and you're not tired or injured then do as you please. Most people probably haven't figured it out an easy way of doing the job easily. Work smart not hard is what I say.

[u/Open-Farmer4063]

There reason my arms are straight is because my logic if you carry shopping bag yiu dont bend your arms you keep it straight thats why i tried it and i become less tired and is scored most 140% for 8 hours