Manual handling in warehouses: the illusion of correct working postures.

Results from a study on load handling in two warehouses are presented. The loads were mainly handled with the back bent and in twisted postures. The so-called 'correct lifting' method was rare. The dimensional constraints of storing systems and the influence of the environment and load characteristics on handling strategies are described. As a conclusion, it is proposed that training in lifting skills should be replaced by training in manual handling in general, and by ergonomic improvements.