Enderby and District Memorial Hospital, Enderby, BC

A new food delivery cart was developed at Enderby Hospital to minimize risk of musculoskeletal injury (MSI) to kitchen staff when using the cart to transport food.

Enderby Hospital is divided into two facilities, Enderby Hospital and Parkview Place, which are connected by an outside cement driveway and ramp. Food is prepared in Enderby Hospital and then transferred by food delivery cart to Parkview Place. Transportation requires food services workers (FSWs) to push a food delivery cart up an inclined ramp and around several sharp corners. Management and staff were concerned about risk of MSI to FSWs from pushing and maneuvering the food delivery cart. In response, OHSAH assisted Enderby Hospital in assessing the risk of MSI associated with cart use and funded the development and implementation of a modified food cart.

An ergonomic assessment was initially performed on the kitchen area at Enderby Hospital to assess pushing forces and risk of injury. Enderby Hospital had originally proposed that a motorized “push-puller” be used to replace the existing food delivery cart. However, after the initial assessment, which included a task analysis and risk factor identification, it became apparent that the benefits of a motorized push-puller did not warrant the high cost. Instead, a smaller and lighter food delivery cart was deemed feasible to reduce the risk of MSI.

A new cart was constructed based on specifications that incorporated staff input. Specific features of the new delivery cart are: increased wheel diameter, a modified castor arrangement, a height adjustable rear handle, a telescopic front handle, modified cart materials and shelf heights, and new insulated containers.

After a trial period, OHSAH interviewed FSWs about the new cart and found that workers were satisfied with the new design. The redesigned cart has reduced pushing forces, improved maneuverability, and introduced a height adjustable rear handle to accommodate the various heights of the workers. The new cart has assisted in reducing the risk of injury and discomfort to kitchen workers. Workers are continuing to use the new food delivery cart.

This project demonstrates that designing and constructing a food delivery cart is a cost-effective alternative to expensive engineering controls for pushing food delivery carts over long distances. The original proposal had included the redesign of the cart pathway or the purchase of an expensive motorized push-puller. However, designing a new cart addressed the problems and eliminated the need for expensive alternatives. To minimize ergonomic risk factors, similar cost effective solutions for cart redesign can be applied to health care facilities across the province.

Related Resources
Final Report:	Food Delivery Cart Modifications at Enderby Hospital (210 kb, 1 pg)	Download
Project Update:	Low Cost Food Cart Modification (755 kb, 2 pgs)	Download
Ergonomics Assessment:	Pushing Forces and Risk of Injury to Food Service Workers Assessment (80 kb, 2 pgs)	Download
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