Influence of restricted space on manual materials handling

Restricted space affects performance on any task requiring movement. Three ranges of available space are denned as a first step to determining workspace requirements. In the first range, the task is physically impossible due to anthropometric restrictions. In the second range, performance increases as space increases. In the third range, further increases in space produce no increase in performance. It is suggested that the ‘ performance boundary’ between the second and third ranges be used to define workspace requirements. Examples from entry/exit and from manual pushing of wheeled vehicles are used to demonstrate these concepts. It is suggested that there may be other effects of restricted space on operator stress when performing manual lifting tasks.