The evaluation of existing large-scale retailers’ furniture using DHM

Digital Human Modeling (DHM) can support the design of the working environment, to avoid the risks of work-related musculoskeletal diseases and disorders (WRMSD). Large Scale Retail Trade involves a large amount of workers, performing a huge number of tasks and activities. The aim of this study was to analyze the working activities and tasks and assess existing furniture by the use of DHM, thus to evaluate the risk of developing WRMSD. Two case studies were analyzed: supermarket clerks and cashiers, involved in restocking and cash desk activities. By using DHM approach, this furniture was assessed in terms of reachability and adjustability. Outcomes of this evaluation were realized in terms of reaching maps, comparing different genders and height/weight percentiles. Preliminary findings suggested the use of dedicated guidelines to choose and set-up furniture in these specific applications, underling the variety of issues present in the large-scale retail trade.