Tipping Aid for Loading Small Trucks on Waste Collection Tours

This thesis examines the ergonomic strain faced by workers of Zurich’s waste and recycling utility (ERZ) who manually collect illegally dumped waste and bulky items at recyclables collection sites, and develops a technical aid to ease this burden. Using interviews, a time-motion study, and established ergonomic risk assessment methods, the study quantified the physical strain associated with current collection activities. Results showed elevated risk levels for injuries and musculoskeletal disorders, with handling of bulky items causing disproportionately high strain despite occupying little working time. A user-centred development process produced a tipping-aid concept for loading bulky items into small collection trucks without worker intervention, which compared favourably against existing market solutions; the thesis concludes with recommendations for improving working conditions.