The most common cause of musculoskeletal disorders among order pickers is the poor ergonomics of their workplace. This is particularly true wherever heavy loads must be handled manually. Repeated lifting and carrying of heavy loads is part of their daily work routine. This type of work can cause a great deal of strain for the picker’s spinal column because it involves exerting oneself with poor posture when bending over to pick up the load. Even lighter loads can strain the back when lifted with poor posture. 
 
In the interests of preventing occupational disorders, particularly of the lumbar region, Germany adopted the European Directive 90/269/EEC into its own law in 1996 as the “Regulation for Occupational Safety and Health Protection When Handling Heavy Loads Manually (Load Handling Regulation).” It contains regulations governing worker safety and health protection when handling heavy loads.
 
According to the regulation, employers must evaluate the work conditions at their facilities as per §5 of the German Occupational Safety Law, and implement suitable organisational measures or employ suitable means to reduce as far as possible the necessity to lift and carry heavy loads.
 
This is why we developed the Pallet Turning Device together with Germany`s Wholesale and Warehouse Professional Assocation (GroLa BG), and our goal was to improve goods handling and thus avoid the ergonomically poor postures associated with this work